Caffeine is present in many popular beverages including coffee, tea and cola drinks. It is probably also one of the world's most highly investigated food components. Despite frequently being pronounced as relatively free of detrimental effects when consumed in moderation, caffeine is still the subject of active research.

One specific area that has generated an enormous volume of research in the last twenty years is the suggestion that caffeine intake and coffee drinking are involved in the development of cardiovascular disorders. The influence of coffee and caffeine intake on established risk factors for heart disease, including blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure, continues to attract attention and could have a detrimental effect on lifestyle.

A study in 1988 monitored blood pressure and heart rate during a normal working day. Their subjects comprised a small group of healthy, non-smoking habitual coffee drinkers. These caffeine doses were designed to represent a range within normal daily caffeine intake in adult coffee drinkers.

The daily dose was divided into two parts which were consumed at about 8.00am and 12.30pm. The subjects were asked to engage in normal work-related activities during which ambulatory measurements of blood pressure and heart rate were recorded every 15 minutes for 6 to 8 hours.

It was observed that average workday blood pressure and heart rate were significantly higher when the higher (500mg) dose of caffeine was given.

It’s worth noting that even relatively small differences in diastolic blood pressure have been shown to be associated with quite considerable differences in the incidence of stroke and coronary heart disease and could in the long-term increase risk of cardiovascular disorders.

However, it is worth noting that the high dose of caffeine (500mg/day) was equivalent to consuming about 3¼ cups of instant coffee all at once on two different occasions. This is unlikely to be the same as consuming a more moderate amount of caffeine over the course of a day.

Best wishes,

Garth Delikan
The Lifestyle Guy - Personal Empowerment Coach

Author's Bio: 

Garth FK Delikan
When a person is stressed it could impact on their health and lifestyle in several ways. Nutrition, weight management and if you don’t feel good about yourself there could be a fear around personal safety. The key factor to gain control of self confidence centres around stress management.

When I first started out along this path, many years ago, the concept of The Lifestyle Guy came to mind... I, and perhaps you, like many people over the years who go through significant personal change, are given a second chance to begin life again - but this time by new rules.

Lifestyle is a great word because it encompasses so many concepts, but to my mind, it means the ability to change what you want in your life, whether personal or professional, by taking control of your own emotions and your own destiny!
When a person is stressed it could impact on their health and lifestyle in several ways. Nutrition, weight management and if you don’t feel good about yourself there could be a fear around personal safety. The key factor to gain control of self confidence centres around stress management.

Garth Delikan The Lifestyle Guy - Personal Empowerment Coach