review article

Effect of Caffeine Consumption on Cardiovascular Disease

Overview

• Increase in Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs): The rise in CVD incidence is linked to lifestyle and dietary changes due to industrialization. Identifying healthy diet habits and supplements, like caffeine, may help alleviate the global burden of CVDs.

• Caffeine's Role: Caffeine, widely consumed worldwide, shows promise in addressing various cardiovascular conditions, though clinical effects remain controversial.

Literature Review

• A comprehensive search across various medical databases revealed mixed results on caffeine's effects on:

  • Blood pressure (BP)

  • Cardiac arrhythmias

  • Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

  • Stable angina

  • Heart failure

  • Dyslipidemia, with an increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

• Need for More Research: Current findings are hindered by multiple confounding factors, necessitating further well-designed studies for clearer conclusions.

Mechanism of Action

• Physiological Effects: Caffeine impacts various organs, enhancing muscle contractility and exhibiting neuroprotective properties. It acts as a competitive adenosine receptor antagonist, leading to anti-inflammatory effects.

• Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: Caffeine’s antioxidant properties may help manage CVDs by mitigating oxidative stress in cardiac health.

Pharmacokinetics

• Absorption and Metabolism: Caffeine is absorbed quickly from the gastrointestinal tract; plasma concentration peaks within 30–120 mins post-ingestion. It undergoes metabolism primarily through cytochrome P450 1A2.

Cardiovascular Benefits

• Hypertension: Mixed findings on caffeine's BP effects, with some studies showing increased systolic and diastolic pressures. Large cohort studies indicate variable responses based on genetics and stress levels.

• Arrhythmia Risks: Animal studies suggest caffeine can induce arrhythmias, but epidemiological studies often show no significant correlation between caffeine consumption and cardiac arrhythmias.

• Dyslipidemia: Evidence points to caffeine elevating total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, particularly at high intake levels.

• Acute Coronary Syndrome: Some studies indicate protective effects of moderate caffeine consumption following myocardial infarction, while others report adverse events.

• Stable Angina: Moderate coffee consumption may benefit patients experiencing exercise-induced angina.

• Heart Failure: Findings are inconclusive on the link between caffeine intake and heart failure risk; some studies suggest potential benefits in exercise performance for heart failure patients.

Limitations and Conclusions

• The review highlights significant variability in study quality and results, particularly regarding caffeine dose and population heterogeneity.

• Need for Caution: While caffeine consumption appears safe for those without serious CVD, definitive clinical guidelines are lacking. Further randomized controlled trials with rigorous designs are essential to clarify caffeine’s cardiovascular safety and efficacy.