Cardiologist Natalya Solovieva has clarified that drinking coffee does not cause persistent high blood pressure, speaking in an interview with news outlet Lenta.ru.
Solovieva, a physician at the Semeynaya network of clinics, stated that coffee causes only a minor temporary spike in blood pressure or has no effect at all. While arterial pressure does increase immediately after drinking a cup of coffee, the indicator typically changes very little and returns to normal on its own within two hours.
She explained that when coffee is consumed regularly over a long period, even this temporary effect disappears. The human body adapts to the continuous stimulation, allowing regular drinkers to consume the beverage without experiencing ongoing blood pressure changes.
Research on caffeine and blood pressure
Solovieva emphasized that extensive medical research has examined the impact of coffee on arterial blood pressure across different populations. Results from these studies show that persistent elevation of blood pressure was not recorded in young people or in older age groups.
Furthermore, some researchers recorded a paradoxical decrease in blood pressure levels among individuals who consumed moderate amounts of coffee over extended periods. The cardiologist noted that consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is considered a safe intake for healthy adults, an amount equivalent to three to four cups of espresso.
Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in coffee beans, tea leaves, and cacao pods. Espresso is brewed by forcing pressurised hot water through finely ground coffee, creating a concentrated drink that serves as a standard metric for measuring daily caffeine intake.
Hypertension risks and vascular health
Hypertension, commonly defined as chronic high blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood against arterial walls remains elevated over long periods. Because arterial pressure fluctuates throughout the day due to physical activity and diet, a short-term increase after drinking a beverage is distinct from chronic medical hypertension.
Oncologist Vladimir Ivashkov previously warned that hypertension can imperceptibly destroy brain health over time. Ivashkov explained that sustained high blood pressure damages blood vessels throughout the entire body, leading to severe and cumulative physical lesions if left untreated.
The cardiovascular system relies on healthy, flexible blood vessels to transport oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain and other vital organs. Persistent vascular damage caused by unmanaged high blood pressure increases long-term risks of cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment.
Safe intake and clinic guidance
Establishing clear boundaries for daily caffeine consumption allows individuals to enjoy coffee while managing potential health risks. Medical recommendations cited by Solovieva indicate that staying within four hundred milligrams of caffeine daily presents no long-term threat to blood pressure control.
The Semeynaya network of clinics is a chain of private medical centres in Russia providing specialist care, including outpatient cardiology and preventive health consultations. Lenta.ru is a Moscow-based Russian online news site that publishes health reports and medical advice from practicing physicians.
