The Effects Of Caffeine On A Person's Heart Rate

Caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous system and can raise heart rate. Moderate caffeine consumption can elevate heart rate up to three beats per minute. This can be beneficial for athletes, dieters and those who are hypotensive. If you consume a daily average caffeine intake of three 8-oz. cups of coffee, or 250 mg, it is possible to build up a tolerance to caffeine, thus feeling little or no effect on your heart rate at all.

Athletes

Athletes experience greater performance and greater speed after caffeine intake. Metabolism is increased by the elevated heart rate from caffeine. Exercising with a safely elevated heart rate allows your body to perform at optimum level, using stored fat as fuel. Caffeine has shown to increase dopamine in the pleasure center of the brain. This also can fuel performance. There have been competitions where the athletes are limited to one to two cups of coffee before an event. This is a safe amount of caffeine for heart rate.

Dieters

If you are dieting, caffeine may help you burn calories. Your metabolism will get a boost from the elevated heart rate. Moderate caffeine consumption is essential so as not to over-increase your heart rate. Ten 8-oz. cups of coffee per day is excessive. Learn what works for your body. Consult with your doctor. The effects of moderate caffeine intake puts your body in a more efficient state for weight loss but is not a substitute for exercise.

Children

A March 2006 study by the American College of Sports Medicine, published in "Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise," found that caffeine intake acutely reduced the heart rate in 7- to 9-year-old boys and girls. In the study, 52 children were given either a placebo or moderate to high levels of caffeine. They rested one hour and then each rode a stationary bike. While riding, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen consumption were monitored. Findings revealed that while resting and exercising blood pressures went up, the kids' heart rates slowed down.

Process

A normal process occurs in the cardiac cells that uses enzymes in a system of checks and balances to control heart rate. When caffeine is consumed, it stimulates the cardiac cells to put a protein on overdrive, interfering with the interplay of the enzymes and raising heart rate. The American Medical Association states that moderate consumption of coffee or tea has no likely negative effect on your health if you live a healthy lifestyle.