Coffee and heart health: Why cardiologists’ view of caffeine has shifted
A new American Heart Association scientific statement suggests that moderate coffee consumption, up to 400mg of caffeine daily, is generally safe and potentially beneficial for cardiovascular health. Experts note that while caffeine can temporarily raise blood pressure, the antioxidants in coffee may offer long-term health advantages.
Why it matters
This guidance updates long-standing medical advice that previously treated coffee with caution, providing clearer health standards for the general public.
Frank McGeorge, MD , Local 4's Medical Expert
Coffee has long been treated with caution in cardiology offices, largely because caffeine can temporarily raise heart rate and blood pressure.
But a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association says that for most adults, moderate caffeine intake — especially from coffee — appears safe and may be linked to cardiovascular benefits in some people.
“Caffeine has always gotten a bad rap when it comes to cardiovascular health,” said Dr. Kelley Chen, an interventional cardiologist at Henry Ford Health Genesys Heart Center, who reviewed the new guidance with me.
The AHA statement, published in the journal Circulation , concludes that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day — roughly up to five eight-ounce cups of regular brewed coffee — is generally safe for most adults.
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