Coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks, with more than 2 billion cups consumed worldwide every day.
Yet opinions about whether it’s good or bad for your heart seem to change every few years.
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association reviewed decades of research to answer an important question: what does the overall evidence actually show?
The conclusion is reassuring. For most healthy adults, moderate coffee consumption appears to fit comfortably within a heart-healthy lifestyle and is associated with a lower risk of several cardiovascular conditions.
The review also concludes that up to 400 mg of caffeine per day (around 3–5 cups of black coffee) is generally considered safe for most adults.
Rather than looking at a single study, the American Heart Association reviewed the available evidence on coffee, tea, caffeine and cardiovascular health.
Across many large studies, people who drank moderate amounts of coffee were found to have a lower risk of:
Cardiovascular disease
Coronary heart disease
Stroke
Heart failure
Type 2 diabetes
Atrial fibrillation
The review also concluded that up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is generally considered safe for most healthy adults.
Although these findings are encouraging, the authors emphasise that much of the evidence comes from observational studies. This means the studies show an association but cannot prove that coffee itself is responsible for the lower risks.
Coffee contains much more than caffeine.
It naturally contains hundreds of plant compounds, including polyphenols and antioxidants, which researchers believe may help reduce inflammation, improve blood vessel function and support the body’s metabolism.
This may help explain why both regular and decaffeinated coffee have been linked with health benefits in many studies, suggesting caffeine is only part of the picture.
Caffeine can cause a temporary rise in blood pressure, particularly in people who do not regularly consume it. However, people who drink coffee regularly often develop a degree of tolerance to this effect.
Interestingly, despite this short-term rise, the American Heart Association’s review found that moderate coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of developing hypertension over the longer term.
The reasons are not fully understood, and much of the evidence comes from observational studies, so it cannot prove that coffee itself is responsible for the lower risk.
Some people avoid coffee because they worry it may trigger an irregular heartbeat.
The review found that moderate coffee consumption does not appear to increase the risk of common heart rhythm problems in the general population.
In fact, moderate coffee intake was associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation in many studies.
That said, everyone responds differently. If coffee regularly causes palpitations or makes you feel unwell, it may be sensible to reduce your intake and discuss your symptoms with your GP.
The report makes an important distinction between coffee and highly caffeinated energy drinks. Energy drinks often contain much higher amounts of caffeine together with sugar and other stimulants.
They have been linked with temporary increases in blood pressure and, in some cases, abnormal heart rhythms, particularly when consumed in large quantities or by susceptible individuals.
These findings should not be applied to ordinary coffee.
No.
People vary in how they respond to caffeine because of factors such as:
Genetics
Age
Pregnancy
Certain medications
Existing heart conditions
Overall caffeine intake
For some people, even small amounts of caffeine may disturb sleep or cause anxiety, while others tolerate several cups each day without any noticeable effects.
Pregnant women should follow current NHS guidance, which recommends limiting caffeine intake to no more than 200 mg per day.
The latest scientific review suggests that, for most healthy adults, moderate coffee consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle.
Up to 400 mg of caffeine per day (around 3–5 cups of black coffee) is generally considered safe, and moderate coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of several cardiovascular conditions.
If you already enjoy coffee, the latest evidence suggests there’s no need to stop drinking it for the sake of your heart, provided you tolerate it well and stay within the recommended caffeine limits.
Coffee is not a substitute for a balanced diet, regular physical activity, not smoking and getting enough sleep, but it appears to fit comfortably within an overall heart-healthy lifestyle.
1. How much coffee is considered moderate?
The American Heart Association states that up to 400 mg of caffeine per day (around 3–5 cups of black coffee) is generally safe for most healthy adults.
2. Does decaffeinated coffee have similar benefits?
Several studies have found that decaffeinated coffee is also associated with health benefits. This suggests that compounds other than caffeine, such as polyphenols, may contribute to coffee’s effects.
3. Can coffee increase blood pressure?
Yes, temporarily. Caffeine can briefly raise blood pressure, especially in people who rarely drink coffee. In regular coffee drinkers, this effect is usually much smaller. Interestingly, moderate coffee consumption has also been associated with a lower long-term risk of developing hypertension.
4. Does coffee cause irregular heartbeats?
For most people, moderate coffee consumption does not appear to increase the risk of common heart rhythm problems. However, if coffee consistently causes palpitations or other symptoms, it’s sensible to discuss this with your GP.
5. Are energy drinks the same as coffee?
No. Energy drinks often contain much higher concentrations of caffeine, as well as sugar and other stimulants. Their effects on the cardiovascular system are different and should not be assumed to be the same as coffee.
6. Should people with heart disease avoid coffee?
Not necessarily. Many people with heart disease can continue to enjoy coffee, but individual circumstances differ. Anyone with existing heart disease or troublesome symptoms should follow the advice of their GP or specialist.
This article is for general information only and is not intended to treat or diagnose medical conditions. If in doubt please check with your GP first.
Marcus GM, Hu FB, van Dam RM, Cornelis MC, Dewland TA, Kang J, Larsson SC, Page RL II, Parekh N. Caffeine and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2026. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001454.
Ding M, Bhupathiraju SN, Satija A, van Dam RM, Hu FB. Long-term coffee consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease. Circulation. 2014;129(6):643–659.
Poole R, Kennedy OJ, Roderick P, Fallowfield JA, Hayes PC, Parkes J. Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes. BMJ. 2017;359:j5024.
Loftfield E, Cornelis MC, Caporaso N, Yu K, Sinha R, Freedman ND. Association of Coffee Drinking With Mortality by Genetic Variation in Caffeine Metabolism. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2018;178(8):1086–1097.
International Coffee Organization. Coffee Market Report. International Coffee Organization. (Source for the estimate that more than 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide each day.)
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