Coffee is a beverage many of us cannot imagine our mornings without. However, along with the boost of energy it provides, it also raises questions: Is coffee harmful to the heart? Some doctors warn about sudden changes in blood pressure, while others argue that coffee may actually be beneficial. Let’s examine what the latest international studies from 2022–2025 reveal.
Coffee and Blood Pressure
After a cup of strong coffee, many people experience a faster heartbeat and a slight rise in blood pressure. This is true: caffeine temporarily constricts blood vessels and stimulates the release of adrenaline.
In people who drink coffee infrequently, blood pressure may rise by 5–10 mmHg within 30–60 minutes.
The effect typically lasts 1–3 hours.
Regular coffee drinkers develop tolerance, and this reaction largely disappears.
Conclusion: Average blood pressure in coffee drinkers is not higher than in people who do not drink coffee at all.
Research Findings
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2022): Regular coffee consumption does not increase the risk of chronic hypertension.
2023 meta-analysis: Drinking 2–4 cups of coffee per day is associated with a lower risk of developing hypertension.
An exception applies to severe hypertension. According to a Japanese study, consuming more than two cups of coffee per day doubled the risk of complications in patients with blood pressure above 160/100 mmHg.
Coffee and Heart Rhythm
The belief that “coffee causes arrhythmia” has persisted for decades. Modern data largely refute this claim.
European Society of Cardiology (2021): Moderate coffee consumption reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation.
Studies using heart rhythm monitoring devices show that coffee may occasionally cause isolated extrasystoles (a “fluttering” sensation), but not dangerous rhythm disorders.
People who drink 0.5 to 3 cups per day have a lower-than-average risk of arrhythmia.
If coffee causes noticeable discomfort or irregularities in a specific individual, reducing intake is advisable. However, for most people, 1–2 cups per day are safe, even for those with a history of arrhythmia.
Long-Term Risks: Heart Attack and Stroke
The key question remains: Does coffee increase the risk of heart attack or stroke?
Large cohort studies involving hundreds of thousands of participants show that people who drink 2–3 cups of coffee per day have:
A 10–15% lower risk of coronary heart disease,
A 15% lower risk of stroke, and
A significantly lower overall mortality rate.
These effects are explained not only by caffeine, but also by coffee’s rich content of polyphenols, chlorogenic acids, potassium, magnesium, and niacin. These compounds improve vascular elasticity, reduce inflammation, and help regulate blood sugar and lipid levels.
