AUSTIN (KXAN) — Is your morning coffee habit or daily energy drink craving dangerous for your heart? A recent study measured how much caffeine is too much for healthy people.
A new study published in the American College of Cardiology found excessive caffeine consumption can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, the global leading cause of death.
The study found drinking over 400 milligrams of caffeine per day could increase cardiovascular disease risk for otherwise healthy people. This includes four cups of coffee, 10 cans of soda or two energy drinks per day.
The study evaluated 92 healthy people between the ages of 18 and 45. About 20% of the participants consumed over 400 mg of caffeine daily, the study found.
The people who drank the most caffeine—primarily females who worked in business or management roles and lived in urban areas—had significantly elevated heart rates and blood pressure, according to the study.
The study determined regular caffeine consumption can put healthy people at risk of hypertension—or high blood pressure—and other cardiovascular events.
Dr. Vivek Goswami, a cardiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin, said caffeine is the most widely used stimulant in the world, and there even are some benefits to caffeine.
“There’s a lot of studies that suggest that taking caffeine in moderation is healthy,” he said. “It can actually reduce your risk of heart disease, reduce your risk of stroke, reduce your risk of colon cancer, reduce your risk of dementia and even have beneficial effects on your liver.”
However, high doses can be detrimental to your cardiovascular health. He said your body can tell you that you’re overdoing caffeine. People can feel a sense of palpitations, irritability, insomnia, increased urination, nausea or headaches.
“I think if individuals are really listening to their body, they can really avoid getting into that area where we’re really taking too much caffeine,” he said.
Goswami said there are some limitations to the study, such as if the study participants had sleep apnea or if they were overfatigued, causing high blood pressure.