Acute effect of caffeine on arterial stiffness and aortic pressure waveform

Caffeine may promote arterial stiffness and high blood pressure in the aorta and brachial artery.

This study investigated the effect of caffeine consumption on arterial tone and function. Researchers administered 250 ml of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee once a week to 7 healthy volunteers. The arterial stiffness and wave reflection were measured in each subject's brachial artery and aorta 90 minutes after coffee intake.

Researchers observed increased in arterial stiffness, wave reflection, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the aorta (more pronounced) and brachial artery in subjects who consumed caffeinated coffee. On the other hand, none of these effects were seen in the subjects that were given non-caffeinated coffee. The findings of this study show that caffeine is associated with increased arterial stiffness and elevated aortic and brachial systolic and diastolic blood pressures.