Caffeine and High Blood Pressure

Caffeine and high blood pressure, as most in the medical profession believe, just do not belong together. It is sometimes suggested that since caffeine only causes a temporary rise in blood pressure, that it does not necessarily have to be completely eliminated.

Whilst there is no proven link that caffeine causes high blood pressure, if a person does experience increased blood pressure or even hypertension, it may be wise to reduce its intake. Even a temporary spike in blood pressure caused by caffeine can be dangerous to a person already experiencing  high blood pressure.

If your doctor suggests you reduce or eliminate caffeine, then all other drinks in which it can be found will have to be taken into account.

Tea, coffee and many soft drinks will need to be avoided. Some people make develop a tolerance for caffeine and high blood pressure. and not be affected by it, but it is advisable to heed advice from your doctor before continuing uncontrolled consumption.

It is inadvisable to drink anything containing caffeine just prior to a blood pressure test.  The slightest increase in pressure could give the physician a false reading which leads to a mis-diagnosis of high blood pressure. Some physicians recommend no food prior to a blood pressure test, but eating and drinking beforehand isn't normally an issue.

A patient with a pre-hypertension blood pressure of up to 140 over 90, may be advised to consume less caffeine to prevent the blood pressure from spiking into the high levels, but if they experience high blood pressure anyway, they should limit their caffeine intake to prevent further health problems developing.

For anyone who consumes a lot of caffeine and for whom high blood pressure is a matter of concern, the best course of action would be to dramatically reduce, or eliminate altogether, consumption of caffeine in all its forms. Whichever you look at it, caffeine and high blood pressure do not go well together.