Many Americans (67%) start each morning off right with a cup of coffee as part of their routine, often even having it pre-programmed on their coffee maker to start brewing at their alarm time. But those concerned with heart health may worry that this habit could be doing them harm; cardiologists state it depends on when and how often caffeine consumption occurs to determine its impact on cardiovascular wellness.

Caffeine can act as a stimulant to increase both heart rate and blood pressure when taken orally, due to its effect on hormone release such as noradrenaline and norepinephrine which stimulate the central nervous system, increasing both heart rate and blood flow to the brain – this explains why coffee may make your heart race when taken on an empty stomach or when cravings strike; but caffeine consumption generally doesn’t pose any increased risks of cardiovascular disease or death for healthy people.

At home and cafe coffee brewers alike should keep in mind that home and cafe-brewed beverages often contain excessive sugar and saturated fat content that may increase your calorie consumption and lead to weight gain; which increases risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, for optimal heart health it may be beneficial to opt for lighter brews without additional cream and sugar additions.

People may worry that coffee may disrupt their heartbeat and lead to arrhythmias; however, research shows that drinking moderate quantities can actually help avoid this issue by lowering risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and heart failure, among other chronic health conditions.

One study concluded that individuals who consumed two to three cups of coffee per day were significantly less likely to develop cardiovascular events or die over a 10-year period compared with non-coffee drinkers – this held true regardless of whether you drank instant, ground, decaffeinated, instant or decafinated coffee. Another research paper concluded that people who drank at least two or more cups per week were almost 50% less likely to develop heart failure compared with those who didn’t drink coffee whatsoever.

Studies demonstrate that drinking coffee in moderation can be part of a diet designed to keep hearts healthy, even helping extend lifespan. But it is also important to keep in mind that there are more effective methods than simply cutting back on coffee consumption; such as decreasing your overall sodium consumption, selecting lean proteins over fattier ones when possible and exercising regularly. If you already suffer from cardiovascular issues it’s wise to work closely with your physician regarding any changes necessary in terms of diet or lifestyle changes that they recommend.