Caffeine and cardiovascular responses to stress.

Caffeine and psychologic stress have similar physiologic effects. Moderate doses of caffeine were found to elevate blood pressure in healthy, young males during periods of rest and stress. Blood pressure during stress was also significantly higher after caffeine had been consumed. The elevation of blood pressure due to caffeine appears to add to that elicited by stress. The implications of these results for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease are discussed.