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Hot topic - Cigarettes and coffee may not be the perfect blend12 November 2004 - written by BUPA's Health information team Smoking a cigarette while drinking a cup of coffee may damage your heart more than either vice alone, according to a new study published in the 2 November 2004 edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.1 What do we know already about smoking and drinking coffee?We know that smoking is a risk factor for heart disease. In fact, smokers are twice as likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers are.2 There is some evidence to suggest that drinking coffee may increase blood pressure, which increases the risk of a heart attack, but a confirmed link is yet to be shown.3 What did the study show?The study showed that when people drank coffee and smoked cigarettes at the same time, the combined effect this had on the heart was worse than the effects of the two vices added together.1 What did the study look at?The study looked at the short-term and long-term effects of smoking and drinking coffee - separately and combined - on the stiffness of the aorta. The aorta is the body's main artery leading from the heart. Aortic stiffness is a good indicator of risk for heart disease.1 How was the study carried out?The researchers split the study up into two parts to look at the immediate and long-term effects of smoking and caffeine.
What effects did smoking and caffeine have on the stiffness of the aorta?In both parts of the study, the researchers showed that smoking and drinking coffee separately increased the stiffness of the aorta. In the first part of the study, the researchers showed that smoking a cigarette while drinking two cups of coffee temporarily increased the stiffness of the aorta more than either smoking or caffeine alone did. In the second part of the study, the people who regularly smoked and drank coffee had stiffer aortas than those who did one or the other, or neither.1 Why did caffeine and smoking affect the stiffness of the aorta?The researchers think that the instant effects that caffeine and smoking had on the aorta may be linked to the release of certain hormones and chemicals in the body that affect blood pressure, heart rate and how the arteries function. They are less clear about the long-term effects of caffeine and smoking on the heart because they are not sure how regular caffeine intake affects health and the function of your arteries over time.1 How is the stiffness of the aorta linked to heart disease?The aorta is the largest artery in the body and the stiffness in the aorta contributes to high blood pressure. High blood pressure in the arteries means that the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body. High blood pressure puts you at greater risk of having heart problems.4 What causes stiffness of the aorta?In the long term, stiffness of the aorta is caused by atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of plaque - cholesterol and fat - in the arteries. This causes them to become narrower and to lose their elasticity. The amount of blood that is able to travel through the artery is reduced, making the heart work harder to pump blood around the body. Atherosclerosis puts you at greater risk of having heart problems.4 What causes atherosclerosis?The exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown, but there are several factors that put you at risk of developing atherosclerosis, including smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and being overweight.5 What did the study conclude?The researchers think that smoking and caffeine may interact with each other to harm the arteries and damage the heart over time.1 Does smoking and drinking coffee affect all types of people?This study only looked at young healthy people. It is not yet known what effect the combination of coffee and smoking has on older people and people with heart problems or any other conditions. People who have high blood pressure may be more likely to be affected by the combined effects of smoking and drinking coffee.1 Should I give up smoking?Yes. Smoking cigarettes is not only a risk factor for heart disease. It is also the biggest risk factor for cancer that can be avoided. As well as the long-term health benefits, giving up smoking will increase your energy levels, make you smell fresher, make you look better and save you money.6 For more information about giving up smoking, please see our factsheet at: If you continue to smoke, this study suggests you should avoid drinking caffeine-containing drinks at the same time as you smoke a cigarette. Should I give up drinking coffee?This study suggests that if you smoke and like to drink coffee, then the combined effect of smoking and caffeine may cause damage to your heart.1 Other studies suggest that drinking coffee in moderation (four to five cups a day) is good for you and can have some positive benefits, such as increasing your energy and endurance levels, helping you to recover from a cold and reviving flagging memory in elderly people.7 What can I do reduce my risk of heart problems?According to this study, you should:
Other ways to reduce your risk of heart problems include:
For more information about looking after your heart, please see our factsheet at: Further informationBUPA resources:
References
All websites accessed on 11 November 2004
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