Coffee and booze linked to high increase of BP

Washington: New studies have shown that consumption of coffee and alcohol could cause dramatic increase in BP.

A new meta-analysis shows that, among hypertensive individuals, caffeine intake of 1.5 – 2 cups produces an acute increase in BP, which lasts for at least three hours. However, the evidence does not support an association between longer-term coffee consumption and increased BP or increased risk of cardiovascular disease among patients with HBP. In five trials, the administration of 200-300 mg caffeine (the content of 1.5-2 cups of filtered coffee) produced a mean increase of 8.2 mm Hg in systolic BP and of 5.6 mm Hg in diastolic BP. The increase in BP was observed in the first hour after caffeine intake and lasted for at least three hours. In six trials on the longer-term effect (1 week) of coffee, there was no increase in BP when comparing caffeine versus placebo, coffee versus a caffeine-free diet, or coffee versus decaffeinated coffee. “These results have clinical implications for the control of hypertensive patients. Because caffeine intake acutely increases blood pressure, hypertensive patients with uncontrolled blood pressure should avoid consuming large doses of caffeine,” said lead study author, Esther Lopez-Garcia, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Autonoma University of Madrid, Spain. “Also, the consumption of caffeine in the hours before measuring blood pressure may elevate the reading and give the erroneous impression that blood pressure is poorly controlled,” he said. Another study revealed that drinking too much alcohol could raise BP to unhealthy levels, especially among men. Among men, a linear dose–response relationship between alcohol intake and risk of development of hypertension was noted. The risk of hypertension significantly increases with consumption of more than 30g/day in men in women alike. “For patients, especially men, it’s very important to ask about alcohol consumption and to recommend moderation when trying to maintain blood pressure control,” said Agarwal, Department of Medicine, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. ANI