DETERMINING

THE EFFECTS OF
CAFFEINE ON
BLOOD PRESSURE
AND HEART RATE

AUTHORS: Karen Friesen, Lily McDermott, Tony Wang

INSTRUCTOR: James E. Coulter
INSTITUTION: Don Mills Collegiate Institute
COURSE: SBI4U6-01
DATE DUE: 12 June 2009
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

DIVISION SECTION NAME PAGE(S)

1
1.0 TITLE
1
2.0 PURPOSE
1
3.0 HYPOTHESIS

4.0 DESIGN: VARIABLES INVOLVED 1–2

4.1 POSITIVE CONTROL A 2

4.2 NEGATIVE CONTROL A 2–3

4.3 APPARATUS 3

4.4 MATERIALS 3

4.5 RESEARCH SUBJECTS 3

4.6 PROCEDURE 3

5.0 OBSERVATIONS 4

6.0 ANALYSIS: RESULTS OVERVIEW 5

6.1 ANALYSIS OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE 6

CONTROL RESULTS
6.2 EFFECTS OF THE PLACEBO 6

6.3 EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE 7

6.4 CONCLUSION OF CAFFEINE’S EFFECTS 7

7.0 EVALUATION: SOURCES OF ERROR 8

7.1 COMPARISONS TO HYPOTHESIS 8

7.2 EXPERIMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS 9

7.3 FURTHER RESEARCH 9

 1.0 TITLE: DETERMINING THE EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE ON BLOOD
PRESSURE AND HEART RATE

2.0 PURPOSE:

The purpose of this lab is to determine the short-term effects of caffeine on blood pressure and heart rate of
seventeen and eighteen year-old subjects from resting values.

3.0 HYPOTHESIS:

We predict that the ingestion of caffeine will induce an overall increase in the resting blood pressure and
heart rate of the subjects. Being a pseudo-alkaloid, caffeine’s molecular structure is abnormally similar to that
of adenosine.1 (See Fig 1.0) The typical binding of adenosine to adenosine receptors in the brain results in
Fig 1.0 vasodilation and a decrease in neural activity.2 When present in the
body, caffeine is capable of binding to adenosine receptors. Since a
majority of adenosine receptors are occupied by caffeine, adenosine is
unable to elicit its normal effects.3 Instead, caffeine acts as an
antagonist, promoting vasoconstriction and an increase in neural firing.
As the walls of the body’s blood vessels begin to decrease in diameter,
the result is an increase in blood pressure.
Caffeine’s hypothesized increase in heart rate may be accounted for by
the pseudo-alkaloid’s increase in the mobilization of Protein Kinase A.4 In the pathways of hormonal
signaling, protein hormones will bind to receptor sites on the cell membrane and activate G-proteins. These
proteins subsequently trigger adenyl cyclase’s conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic
adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Finally, cAMP renders Protein Kinase A into an active form, stimulating
cardiomyocytes to become more sensitive to calcium currents and thereby increasing heart rate.5 Caffeine is
capable of increasing the levels of cAMP present in a cell by inhibiting cAMP-Phosphodiesterase’s (cAMP-
PDE) conversion of cAMP back to AMP. Consequently, caffeine is capable of promoting an increase in heart
rate.

1
Georges-Louis Friedli, “Alkaloids,” Sept. 1996, 30 May 2009
<http://www.friedli.com/herbs/phytochem/alkaloids/alkaloid1.html>
2
Charles Bryant, “Caffeine and Adenosine,” How Stuff Works, 30 May 2009 <http://health.howstuffworks.com/caffeine.htm>
3
“Adenosine Receptor Systems,” CNS Forum, 30 May 2009
<http://www.cnsforum.com/imagebank/section/receptor_systems_adosine/default.aspx>
4
Michael Onken, “Re: How and Why Does Caffeine Effect the Pulse Rate of a Person,” MadSci Network, 10 Feb 2000, 30 May
2009 <http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2000-02/950223638.Cb.r.html>
5
Ibid 4.
 The expected results of this lab are a general increase in the blood pressure and heart rate of seventeen
and eighteen-year-old subjects from resting values.

4.0 DESIGN: VARIABLES INVOLVED

MANIPULATED VARIABLE:

● Content of caffeine in administered substances

CONTROLLED VARIABLES:

● Level of external stimuli

● Concentration of caffeine administered
● Time interval of relaxation between relaxation and first testing of resting blood pressure and heart rate
● Time interval between tablet administration and second testing of blood pressure and heart rate
● Blood pressure and heart rate testing protocol
● Food and water intake prior to testing

RESPONDING VARIABLES:

● Heart rate of subjects

● Blood pressure (diastolic and systolic pressures) of subjects

4.1 POSITIVE CONTROL A

1. Instruct the subject to eat a small carbohydrate serving with a glass of water for breakfast and to not
eat or drink anything for at least 2 hours before the procedure.
2. Allow the subject to sit comfortably in a chair, with their arm elevated on cushion at subject’s chest
level. Work efficiently and do not excite the subject.
3. Run the documentary episode of Planet Earth, instructing the subject to relax.
4. 15 minutes later, quietly measure subject’s blood pressure and heart rate. Do not allow the subject to
see the monitor display when recording the data
5. Administer two caffeine tablets (200mg of caffeine in total), instructing the subject to ingest tablets
directly with no accompanying fluids.
6. Repeat step 4.

RATIONALE: This positive control will attempt to demonstrate that in the presence of caffeine, the body
will exhibit an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. The caffeine tablet will contain an overwhelming
quantity of the pseudo-alkaloid equivalent to 4-6 cups of coffee. The result should be an inundation of
adenosine receptors in the brain, leading to vasoconstriction. Additionally, cAMP levels in cells should
increase, triggering Protein Kinase A to stimulate cardiomyocytes and increase heart rate. Positive Control A
will show that overwhelming levels of caffeine in the system inevitably leads to higher blood pressure and
heart rate in comparison to resting values.

4.2 NEGATIVE CONTROL A

 1. Instruct the subject to eat a small carbohydrate serving with a glass of water for breakfast and to not
eat or drink anything for at least 2 hours before the procedure.
2. Allow the subject to sit comfortably in a chair, with their arm elevated on cushion at subject’s chest
level. Work efficiently and do not excite the subject.
3. Run the documentary episode of Planet Earth, instructing the subject to relax.
4. 15 minutes later, quietly measure subject’s blood pressure and heart rate. Do not allow the subject to
see the monitor display when recording the data
5. Administer two vitamin B1 tablets (200mg of vitamin B1 in total), instructing the subject to ingest
tablets directly with no accompanying fluids.
6. Repeat step 4.
RATIONALE: This negative control will attempt to show that in the absence of caffeine, blood pressure and
heart rate should be very similar to resting values. The vitamin C tablet is also devoid of any fluid content.
Consequently, blood pressure cannot increase since no new fluids are introduced into the system to be
reabsorbed. Additionally, vitamin C is not a diuretic and therefore will not result in a reduction in blood
volume and blood pressure. This tablet will serve as a placebo, demonstrating constancy in blood pressure
and heart rate from a lack of caffeine in the body.

4.3 APPARATUS:

● 2 blood pressure and heart rate monitors

●1 relaxing documentary episode of Planet Earth (Ocean Deep)
● 8 cushions
● 8 chairs

4.4 MATERIALS:

● 18 extra-strength caffeine pills (100mg caffeine each)

● 18 vitamin B1 tablet (100mg tablet)

4.5 RESEARCH SUBJECTS:

● 4 male subjects (17 or 18 years old)

●4 female subjects (17 or 18 years old)

4.6 PROCEDURE:

Part I

1. Instruct all subjects to eat a small carbohydrate serving with a glass of water for breakfast and to
not eat or drink anything for at least 2 hours before the procedure.
2. Run the documentary episode of Planet Earth and allow the subjects to relax.
3. To start testing, allow the subjects to sit comfortably in a chair, with their arm elevated on cushion
at subject’s chest level. Work efficiently and do not excite the subjects.
4. 15 minutes later, quietly measure subject’s blood pressure and heart rate. Do not allow the subject
to see the monitor display when recording the data
 5. Administer two vitamin B1 tablets (200mg of vitamin B1 in total), instructing the subject to ingest
tablets directly with no accompanying fluids. Ensure a 1 minute interval between administering
tablets from one subject to the next.
6. Repeat step 4, recording the results from the second round of testing in the same order in which
the B1 tablets were administered.

Part II

1. Administer two caffeine tablets (200mg of caffeine in total), instructing the subject to ingest
tablets directly with no accompanying fluids. Ensure a 1 minute interval between administering
tablets from one subject to the next.
2. Repeat step 4 from Part I, recording the results from the third round of testing in the same order in
which the caffeine tablets were administered.

OBSERVATIONS:

PART I (Trials administering the placebo)

TRIAL READING 1 READING 2 ADDITIONAL NOTES

INFO. (RESTING VALUES) (AFTER PLACEBO)
SYS DIA P/min SYS DIA P/min
♂ 163 43 50 157 116 72
♀
♂ 104 62 166 88 56 175 -poor sleep and diet
♀ -low levels of stress
♂ 103 62 75 103 66 63 -felt “great”
♀
♂ 93 73 71 95 62 73
♀
♂ 111 66 172 132 64 66 -regular sleep
♀ -only 2 meals a day
♂ 108 64 81 100 78 72 -head resting on table
♀
TRIAL READING 1 READING 2 after given caffeine
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Negative 138 75VALUES)
78 136 62 69 -moderate amount of
INFO (RESTING (AFTER CAFFEINE)
Control stress
SYS DIA P/min SYS DIA P/min
♂ 163 43 50 96 56 51
♀
PART II
♂ 104 62 166 100 45 162 -poor sleep and diet
(Trials
♀ -low levels of stress
administering
♂ 103 62 75 119 72 75 -felt “great” caffeine)
♀
♂ 93 73 71 95 74 67 -became progressively
♀ more relaxed
♂ 111 66 172 143 60 71 -irregular sleep
♀ -only 2 meals a day
♂ 108 64 81 89 55 70 -appeared quite relaxed
♀
Positive 124 66 75 122 84 65 -moderate amount of
Control stress
 6.0 ANALYSIS: RESULTS OVERVIEW
EFFECTS OF PLACEBO EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE

EFFECTS OF PLACEBO ON SYSTOLIC BLOOD EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE ON SYSTOLIC BLOOD

PRESSURE PRESSURE
EFFECTS ON
EFFECTS OF PLACEBO OF HEART
CAFFEINE ON HEART RATE
RATE
180 180
160 160
PRESSURE (mm Hg)

PRESSURE (mm Hg)

SYSTOLIC BLOOD
SYSTOLIC BLOOD

140 200 140 200

HEART RATE (Beats/min)
HEART RATE (Beats/min)

120 120
100 150 100 150
80 80
60 60
100 100
40 40
20 20
0 50 0 50
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0 0
INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL
1 2 31 42 53 6 4 7 5 6 7
Resting Value After Placebo Resting Value After Caffeine
INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL
6.1 ANALYSIS OF POSITIVE AND
INDIVIDUAL
INDIVIDUAL
Resting 7 – Resting
Value NEGATIVE
7After
– POSITIVE
Value CONTROL
Placebo CONTROL
After Caffeine
NEGATIVE CONTROL RESULTS EFFECTSON
EFFECTS OF PLACEBO OF DIASTOLIC
CAFFEINE ON DIASTOLIC BLOOD
BLOOD
PRESSURE PRESSURE
Before analyzing the results of the Positive 140 90
Control, the concept of cardiac output must be 80
PRESSURE (mm Hg)

PRESSURE (mm Hg)

DIASTOLIC BLOOD

DIASTOLIC BLOOD

120
defined. Cardiac output is denoted as the volume 70
100
of blood pumped out of the aorta by the heart 60
80 50
every minute. This value is calculated by
60 40 ff
multiplying the heart rate and the stroke volume 30
(the volume of blood pumped by the left 40
20
ventricle every heart beat which is largely 20 10
0 0
1 2 31 42 53 64 75 6 7
INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL
Resting ValueRestingAfter
ValuePlaceboAfter Caffeine
dependent on systolic blood pressure).1 The Positive Control subject (Individual 7) deviated minimally from
resting systolic blood pressure values, while exhibiting an increase in diastolic blood pressure and a decrease
in heart rate.
These results are particularly interesting since they suggest an overall decrease in cardiac output but
an increase in the rate at which blood returns to the heart (due to increased diastolic blood pressure) after
ingesting caffeine.2 The hypothesis predicted that caffeine, being a stimulant, would elevate both cardiac
output and the rate at which blood returns to the heart. However, the autonomic nervous system of the
Positive Control subject perhaps failed to register a need to increase both these factors in such an
unstimulating environment. Despite caffeine’s likely elevation in the subject’s diastolic blood pressure, this
individual’s autonomic nervous system may have lowered heart rate to sustain only a small net increase in
overall cardiac activity, compared to resting values, after ingesting caffeine.
The results of the Negative Control exhibited a decrease in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood
pressure, and heart rate after ingesting the placebo. The only significant deviation from resting values was a
decrease in diastolic blood pressure of 13 mmHg during the second round of testing. These results likely
reflect the Negative Control’s further relaxed state after ingesting the placebo.

6.2 EFFECTS OF THE PLACEBO

Most individuals failed to exhibit any noticeable effects after taking the placebo. In terms of systolic blood
pressure, the greatest deviations from resting values were observed in Individuals 5 and 1, who exhibited an
increase in systolic blood pressure of 21 and 6 mmHg respectively.
The second round of testing yielded results which were fairly consistent with resting diastolic blood
pressure values. Excluding Individual 1, all subjects deviated 7 mmHg or less from their respective resting
values. The gargantuan increase in Individual 1’s diastolic blood pressure is completely anomalous. After
being administered the placebo, this individual rose from a diastolic blood pressure of 43 to 116 mmHg.
When asked about any irregularities in sleep, diet, or stress levels, this individual did not report any variance
from everyday habits. Taking into account the lack of response from other individuals, one may infer that that
the placebo itself was likely not responsible for Individual 1’s dramatic increase in diastolic blood pressure.
Rather, the results may have been an indication of equipment error during the second testing of Individual 1.
After being administered the placebo, most individuals, similar to the Negative Control, exhibited a
heart rate marginally slower than their respective resting values. This suggests that most individuals relaxed
further after being administered the placebo. The greatest deviation of 22 beats per minute (bpm) in heart rate
was observed, once again, in Individual 1. This result lends further support to the possibility of equipment
error during this individual’s second test. Individual 5’s atypical results should also be noted. After an initial
reading of 172 bpm, this individual dropped to a heart rate of 66 bpm. It is likely that this individual was not
fully relaxed during the first round of testing. Irregular sleep and poor diet (two meals a day) were also
reported by this individual. These factors may have contributed to the individual’s stress levels, promoting
the heart to work harder to meet basic needs. Consequently, Individual 5 may have registered an abnormally
high heart rate when initially tested. However, after 15 minutes had elapsed, this individual likely calmed
down and exhibited a heart rate closer to that of his resting values.
6.3 EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE

After being administered caffeine, most individuals’ systolic blood pressure exhibited either an
increase from their respective resting values (Individuals 3 and 5) or a marginal deviation (Individual 2 and
4). The effects of caffeine on Individuals 1-6 generally suggest either maintenance of resting systolic blood

1
Ted Temertzoglou, et al., Exercise Science: An Introduction to Health and Physical Education (Toronto: Thompson Educational
Publishing Inc, 2003) 117
2
Ibid 1.
pressure, analogous to that exhibited by the Positive Control subject, or a moderate increase in systolic blood
pressure. These results indicate that caffeine elicits a preservation or elevation in stroke volume.
The effects of caffeine on the diastolic blood pressure on Individuals 1 to 6 are inconclusive. Three
individuals exhibited an elevated diastolic blood pressure while three others displayed a reduced diastolic
blood pressure. It should be noted, however, that Individual 6 (who registered a decrease in diastolic blood
pressure) spent a majority of the time with her head on the table after ingesting caffeine. It is possible that in
doing so, her diastolic blood pressure was lower than if she had been sitting upright, as blood would need to
be pumped to a lower head height. This suggestion is only speculation but is somewhat supported by the fact
that Individual 6 registered a decrease in all three variables tested after ingesting caffeine in comparison to
her resting values. If Individual 6 had been sitting upright and exhibited an increase in diastolic blood
pressure, the overall results would have suggested that similar to the results of the Positive Control subject,
caffeine is responsible for promoting an increase in the rate at which blood returns to the heart. However,
from a strictly statistical perspective, the effects of caffeine on diastolic blood pressure are inconclusive.
The results of this lab indicate that caffeine appears to induce a slight decrease in heart rate. All
individuals exhibited a slower heart rate with the exception of Individual 1, whose elevation from heart rate
values was almost negligible (50 to 51 bpm). This general decrease in heart rate mirrors the result registered
in the Positive Control subject and suggests maintenance of cardiac activity in unstimulating environments.

6.4 CONCLUSION OF CAFFEINE’S EFFECTS

From the results of this lab, one may conclude the relative constancy of heart rate within a given
environment, despite the ingestion of various substances. Although most individuals’ heart rates slowed after
ingesting caffeine, these decreases were not significant. Few trials registered a decrease of more than 10 bpm.
This information suggests that despite the ingestion of alleged stimulants or depressants, the autonomic
nervous system governs heart rate in accordance to the level of stimulation in the external environment.
Since the level of external stimuli remained constant throughout the experiment, most individuals’
heart rates remained relatively constant during
the three rounds of testing (see right). Individual Com parison of Heart Rates
1’s second test results and Individual 5’s resting 200
values have been omitted due to likely equipment
150
(Beats/min)
Heart Rate

error and initial stimulation, respectively (refer

back to 6.2 The Effects of the Placebo). 100
This lab has demonstrated that the 50
individuals who were administered caffeine
0
exhibited a subsequent increase or constancy in
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
systolic blood pressure (and thus stroke volume), Individual
an inconclusive effect on diastolic blood
Resting Value After Placebo After Caffeine
pressure, and a minimal decrease or maintenance
in heart rate. These results likely indicate that in
response to caffeine’s moderate increase in systolic blood pressure, the autonomic nervous system of the
tested individuals maintained equilibrium over cardiac activity by slightly decreasing heart rate. The rationale
for this decrease in heart rate was perhaps the facilitation of only a small net increase in cardiac output
following the ingestion of 200mg of caffeine, as a result of a lack of significant external stimuli.

7.0 EVALUATION: SOURCES OF ERROR

7.1 COMPARISONS TO HYPOTHESIS

7.2 EXPERIMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

There are numerous potential improvements that could be made to this experiment. The incorporation of
more accurate blood pressure and heart monitors would be highly beneficial in future experiments. Another
suggestion would be the familiarization in the use of the blood pressure and heart rate monitors before the
beginning of the lab, which would likely yield more accurate results. The testing procedure would be
expedited and all parties involved would be under less stress.
Additionally, the adoption of a universal testing protocol should be considered. This would allow the
comparison of results between groups. Presently, this comparison cannot be made as some groups tested
individuals’ right arm while others tested the left. Also, some groups placed a cushion under the subjects’
arm during testing while others did not incorporate this into their procedure. An analysis of the cumulative
data might allow one to better identify general patterns observed in the response of the subjects tested after
being administered caffeine.
The experiment would also benefit from separating the individuals tested, as their interactions with
each other could have affected their heart rate and blood pressure unequally. Social interaction and any
activities performed during the lab should be controlled.
To create an ideal setup for this lab, participants should be monitored for a period of time before the
experiment. They should be required to sleep a given number of hours and abide by a specific
diet. Individuals should also be subjected to the same level of stress, although this may be a challenging
prospect in a high school environment. Such recommendations would ensure certain aspects of lifestyle that
likely affect blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) and heart rate would be constant for all participants.
Finally, one should consider increasing the study size. More participants would provide a larger set of
data points to compare and analyze, allowing one to better establish data trends and recognize outlying data.

7.3 FURTHER RESEARCH

Further research is required to verify that a stagnant and unstimulating environment was indeed the cause
behind the autonomic nervous system’s decrease in heart rate after ingesting caffeine. The dosage of caffeine
should be increased by 50mg in successive experiments to observe whether or not an increase in systolic
blood pressure and a decrease in heart rate (in comparison to resting values) continue to be registered. The
validation of these expected results would lend support to the possibility that despite caffeine’s increase in
systolic blood pressure, the autonomic nervous system decreases heart rate since it perceives no need to
increase overall cardiac activity in such an unstimulating environment.
Finally, to prove that a decrease in heart rate is a result of the autonomic nervous system’s perception
of external stress and not an effect of ingesting caffeine, one must record an individual’s systolic blood
pressure and heart rate in an environment with a moderately high but constant level of stress. Next, one must
inject a hormone that targets only the myocardiocytes lining the left and right ventricles, maintaining a
constant systolic blood pressure in the subject. As well, caffeine should be administered. After 15 minutes,
the second round of results should be compared to the initial values. If the individual’s heart rate decreases,
one should conclude caffeine decreases heart rate. However, if heart rate remains unchanged, it would
suggest that the autonomic nervous system perceives a need to maintain its initial level of cardiac activity to
respond to the external stress.
In terms of the original experiment, it would be fascinating to see if the response of the autonomic
nervous system remained constant as time advanced. Caffeine allegedly reaches its maximum concentration
in the human body within an hour1 and a further decrease in heart rate and increase in systolic blood pressure
would solidify the results and conclusions of this lab. Finally, it would be valuable to study caffeine’s effects
on diastolic blood pressure, determining the effects on the rate at which blood returns to the heart.

1
George Burchfield and Joy Mitchell, “What’s Your Posion: Caffeine,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation 1997, 11 June 2009
< http://www.abc.net.au/quantum/poison/caffeine/caffeine.htm>