Coffee and Blood Pressure

For many people, a cup of coffee is simply part of the morning routine. But not only in the morning the dark pick-me-up is often enjoyed throughout the day. However, there's often some uncertainty about its effect on blood pressure: does coffee raise it, and should people who already have high blood pressure avoid it?

Studies have shown that coffee can raise blood pressure briefly. This mainly happens in people who are not used to caffeine. For regular coffee drinkers, however, the dark hot drink has little or no effect on blood pressure. It's important to know that, whether you're a coffee drinker or not, any increase in blood pressure is usually short-lived. A tolerance effect can be seen after about two weeks of regular coffee consumption: the rise in blood pressure disappeared or lessened.
This is supported by a long-term study published in 2024. In that study, the blood pressure of about 1,500 participants some regular coffee drinkers, some who never or rarely drink coffee was followed for 10 years. The reassuring result for coffee drinkers was that their blood pressure measurements did not differ from those of non- or rare coffee drinkers. The study also found no sign that coffee drinkers developed high blood pressure more often. So, when coffee is consumed habitually, it doesn't seem to affect blood pressure.

When it comes to how much is "allowed," the German Heart Foundation recommends 45 cups of coffee a day, which equals a maximum of 400 mg of caffeine. However, this shouldn't be consumed all at once it's the total amount for the whole day. At one time (for example at breakfast or in the afternoon), you shouldn't consume more than about 200 mg of caffeine, which is roughly two cups of coffee.

Of course this only applies to people who tolerate coffee. Regardless of its effect on blood pressure, individual reactions can spoil the enjoyment for example, if you get a racing heart or stomach problems after a cup of coffee.

If you don't experience unpleasant symptoms after a cup of coffee in other words, you tolerate it moderate coffee consumption may even have positive effects on your cardiovascular system. Several studies have found evidence for this. For example, the antioxidants in coffee can be beneficial to health.

By the way, caffeine isn't found only in coffee. Black or green tea and even dark chocolate contain the stimulant. It's also well known that it's in cola and energy drinks (see our article on blood pressure and energy drinks). If you consume these products in addition to coffee, their caffeine counts toward your daily total and should be taken into account.

In conclusion: coffee is not as harmful to health as was long believed. On the contrary, it even has healthful properties. But as with many things, the dose makes the poison. If you want to drink coffee regularly and in moderation, you can do so without worry, even if you have high blood pressure.

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This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day. Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 12/2025).

Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.

Coffee and Blood Pressure

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