The effects of caffeine on the heart rate variability (Research Paper Sample)

THE EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE ON THE HEART RATE VARIABILITY By [Name] Course: Professor’s Name: Institution: City: Date: Abstract This article has successfully demonstrated that heart rate variability has grown to become a major risk factor for habitual users of caffeine, particularly for patients experiencing cardiovascular conditions like hypertension and post-myocardial infarction. Although small amounts of caffeine may not have an effect on the heart rate variability, overdependence and regular consumption of caffeine products may lead to an increase in arrhythmias or cause sudden death among patients suffering from type 1 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. Researchers and medical practitioners present different views on the use of caffeine substances and the effects on the heart rate variability (HRV). According to Koenig et al. (2013), an increase in the heart rate variability is an indication of automatic heart dysfunction that may result in premature cardiovascular condition and unexpected death of habitual users. Health professionals and medical practitioners, on the other hand, recommend regular use of naturally occurring caffeine substances among patients with type 1 diabetes because the presence of caffeine in the body adds to the fundamental characteristics of hypoglycemia and hormonal counter-regulatory reaction (Ulanovsky et al., 2014). These features allow the immune systems of diabetic patients to take the necessary measures to reduce the development of neuroglycopenia. This article discusses the effects of caffeine on the heart rate variability in healthy consumers, individuals with cardiovascular conditions, and patients with type 1 diabetes. Caffeine exists in a wide range of food products and beverages and is considered by scientist to be a particular kind of drug that is consumed by individuals across the world either in its natural form or as a processed food product. From the scientific point of view, the effects of caffeine on the heart rate variability is autonomic to the nervous system and exerts its impact by activating the non-adrenergic nervous system in a way that results in sympathetic stimulation (Ulanovsky et al., 2014). In other words, caffeine produces sympathetic stimulation that is responsible for the increase in the heart rate variability. This is contrary to the findings by the majority of researchers who have shown no connections between caffeine products like coffee or stimulant drugs and coronary heart disease. Apart from increasing the heart rate variability, other pieces of evidence point to the fact that caffeine reduces the refractory period in the atrioventricular node, which may expose healthy individuals to a severe heart condition (Notara et al., 2015). Also, overconsumption of these substances may increase the parasympathetic processes of the nervous system or may, at some point, lower the sympathetic activities depending on the person’s response mechanisms. Despite the negative views presented by scientists, medical researchers and health professionals believe that caffeine can be used as an excellent prescription for the common complications in premature newborns such as apnea of prematurity (Notara et al., 2015). Similarly, the substance has been used to stabilize the heart rate of patients with cardiovascular disease with positive results (Ulanovsky et al., 2014). Although caffeine is known to affect the central nervous system or impede the body response mechanism, the effect of the substance on the autonomic nervous system is mild. Therefore, proper administration of caffeine may not cause a change in heart rate or interfere with the patient’s blood pressure. This is according to the study conducted by Ulanovsky et al. (2014) to determine the effects of caffeine on the HRV of newborns experiencing the condition of apnea prematurity a...