[Cardiovascular effects of everyday coffee consumption]

Abstract

Whereas the earlier literature contains several studies on the acute cardiovascular effects of caffeine, systematic studies of the cardiovascular effects of regular daily coffee consumption have appeared only recently. Acute caffeine administration (total daily amount in one dose following caffeine abstinence) increases both systolic and diastolic blood pressures by 10-15 mm Hg and lowers the pulse by about 2-5 beats/min. Repeated caffeine administration leads to a rapid decline in the blood pressure response. Chronic switching between decaffeinated and caffeine-containing coffee showed no more than marginal changes in blood pressure. Plasma lipids are probably independent of caffeine consumption, but increase slightly with boiled (compared with filter) coffee. The question of the thermogenic effect of coffee consumption remains open. The prevalence of coronary disease appears to be epidemiologically independent of coffee consumption.