Caffeine & Cardiac Benefits

When you think of caffeine, chances are you think of coffee, because of the high levels of caffeine in the popular beverage. Coffee comes in a variety of flavors and is made from brewing the beans of the coffee plant. For decades, scientists have been concerned about the effects of coffee on the body. Because caffeine changes your body chemistry in different ways, it is important to know how caffeine affects your cardiovascular system.

Caffeine and Coffee

Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, chocolate and soft drinks. Most people like caffeine because it is a central nervous system stimulant that makes you feel more alert, focused and energized. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that 80 percent of American adults drink caffeinated beverages on a daily basis. But drinking too much caffeine can cause heart palpitations, restlessness and sleeping difficulties. An average cup of coffee contains 85 mg of caffeine, but most experts agree that two to four cups a day is safe for the average healthy person.

Heart Arrhythmia

Some people worry about the effects of caffeine, but caffeinated beverages can actually be beneficial for some heart conditions. In 2010, a study by the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Center in California revealed that everyday coffee drinkers were less likely to be hospitalized for heart rhythm disturbances compared to non-coffee drinkers. Study results show that men and women who drink four cups of coffee a day have an 18 percent lower risk of hospitalization for heart arrhythmia. More research is needed, and excessive coffee consumption is not recommended, but new research shows that moderate coffee consumption may be beneficial for some conditions.

Diabetes and Hypertension

A surprising new study shows that coffee may benefit individuals at a high risk for diabetes. In 2010, UCLA researchers found a protein in coffee called SHBG that may decrease your risk for diabetes, a metabolic disease that contributes to heart disease and stroke. Scientists are not sure how SHBG prevents diabetes, but it may interfere with certain hormones that contribute to developing the disease. In addition, new studies show that caffeine does not increase your risk for hypertension and heart disease, as first thought. Combined data from six different studies confirm that drinking a moderate amount of caffeinated coffee does not cause heart disease or chronic hypertension, reports Medline Plus. As always, follow your physician's instructions on what amount of caffeine is safe for you.

Contraindications

Although safe in small doses, caffeine causes chemical changes in the body that can affect each person in a different way. For example, caffeine can cause an abnormal heart rhythm and increased heart rate in some people. Caffeinated beverages can also cause temporary spikes in blood pressure, which can be dangerous if you already have high blood pressure or heart valve disease. Coffee can also interfere with the effects of some cardiac medications, so ask your doctor what amount of caffeine is safe for your condition.