Kids With Hypertension? Coffee Linked to Increased Cardiovascular Risk in Young Adults

A study shows that coffee consumption is linked to a higher risk for cardiovascular problems in young adults with mild hypertension.

According to an online survey done earlier this year, coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverage in almost any age group in the US. Studies have also shown that coffee has tremendous benefits, such as helping prevent colon cancer recurrence, and also helping minimize the risks of having cognitive impairment. However, a recent study has shown that coffee is linked to higher risks in cardiovascular events in young adults who have mild hypertension.

"There is controversy surrounding the long term cardiovascular and metabolic effects of coffee consumption in patients with hypertension," said Dr. Lucio Mos, a cardiologist at the Hospital of San Daniele del Friuli, in a press release via Escardio.org. "Our study was designed to evaluate whether coffee drinking had an effect on the risk of cardiovascular events, and if the association was mediated by effects on blood pressure and glucose metabolism."

The 12-year study involved observing more than 1200 patients between the ages of 18 and 45, who had untreated stage 1 hypertension. They were categorized by the amount of caffeine-containing coffee they would drink per day: non-drinkers (0 cups), moderate (1-3 cups), and heavy drinkers (4 or more). Abstainers comprised 26.3 percent of the participants, 62.7 percent were moderate drinkers and 10.0 percent were heavy drinkers. Abstainers were younger and having a lower Body Mass Index than coffee drinkers.

The researchers found that heavy coffee drinkers had a four-fold increase in the risk for cardiovascular events (such as heart attack), while moderate drinkers have three times the risk, when compared to abstainers.

There was a clear linear relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of hypertension needing help. The link was even more significant for heavy drinkers. When the long term effects of coffee consumption on the risk of having prediabetes was observed, there was a 100 percent increased risk of prediabetes in heavy coffee drinkers. However, it was also found that the risk was significantly higher only in those who metabolised caffeine slowly.

In the follow-up analysis after 12.5 years, cardiovascular events that happened to the patients were found to be predictable based on the amount of coffee they drank.

Dr. Mos concluded: "Our study shows that coffee use is linearly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in young adults with mild hypertension. This relationship seems to be at least partially mediated by the long term effect of coffee on blood pressure and glucose metabolism."

"These patients should be aware that coffee consumption may increase their risk of developing more severe hypertension and diabetes in later life and should keep consumption to a minimum," he added.