Biometrika Project

Statistics I, Fall 2015

Jennifer T.

Heart Rate Data

How does coffee affect heart

rate?

oz Coffee
(x)

Baseline
HR

HR after
coffee

Change in
HR (y)

72

74

12

72

76

16

68

75

20

71

70

-1

20

82

84

24

84

78

-6

20

78

75

-3

20

77

72

-5

16

65

64

-1

16

110

100

-10

16

73

78

72

72

16

72

70

-2

20

80

92

12

24

78

70

-8

12

69

70

24

82

108

26

12

68

70

70

69

-1

92

90

-2

12

102

98

-4

-20

16

100

96

-4

-25

16

84

82

-2

-30

24

72

78

24

75

79

24

68

78

10

24

73

72

-1

24

74

72

-2

20

76

80

20

84

84

Correlation
Correlation coefficient: 0.1978
R^2 = 0.0391
Regression Equation: y = -3.052 + 0.239x

Calculations done with Numbers and www.mathportal.org.

Caffeine is a stimulant, and stimulants have a reputation

for having numerous effects on the body, including
raising blood pressure, heart rate, energy and even
anxiety levels. Anecdotally, I have experienced a fast
pulse after consuming coffee, so I wanted to use this
project to find out whether there is a relationship
between heart rate and the amount of coffee consumed.

Results
30
25

Change in Heart Rate (bpm)

20
15
10
5
0
-5
-10
-15

10

20

30

40

50

Coffee Consumed (oz)

Analysis
A correlation coefficient of 0.1978 indicates a weak
positive correlation between the amount of coffee
consumed and any subsequent changes in heart rate. The
fact that the coefficient is positive means that the effect
trends towards an increase rather than a decrease, though
the relationship is not very strong . Calculating the
correlation and regression without sample #24 (which
appears to be an outlier), we find R = 0.0636, R^2 = 0.004,
and a regression equation of y=0.735+0.057x. Without
the skew of this outlier it appears there is virtually no
correlation between the amount of coffee consumed and
heart rate.
With such a definitive correlation coefficient, it is
unlikely that the caffeine in coffee has a significant effect on
heart rate. All measurements were taken approximately 15
minutes after consumption, around the time I personally start
to feel the effects of coffee. Some possible confounding
factors include: physical activity, illness, dehydration, anxiety
level, and inconsistent amounts of caffeine in different coffee
samples. Additionally, there was only one test subject in this
experiment, so these results may not be the same for others.