Coffee Consumption Linked to Reduced Risk of Irregular Heartbeats

Drinking coffee may protect people against irregular heartbeats, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and presented at the American Heart Association conference.

The Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation, or Decaf, clinical trial involved 200 patients with persistent irregular heartbeats. Those who consumed coffee had a significantly lower risk of the condition recurring, with rates dropping from 47% to 64% compared to those who abstained.

The lead researcher, Gregory Marcus, and his team found that participants who drank coffee were 17% less likely to experience a recurrence of an irregular heartbeat during the six-month trial. The study involved older adults from the US, Canada, and Australia who had regularly consumed coffee at some point in the past five years.

Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one that cut caffeine and another that maintained a daily coffee intake of at least one cup. Coffee consumption was self-reported during intermittent video checkups, while tools like electrocardiograms and wearable monitors were used to assess irregular heartbeats.

Marcus emphasized that these findings suggest caffeinated coffee may have protective effects against atrial fibrillation, a condition affecting over 10 million individuals in the US, known for causing palpitations and increasing the risk of heart failure, blood clots, and strokes.

Despite the encouraging results, the study has limitations, including the unmeasured effects of caffeine from other beverages and a lack of tracking for participants' exercise habits or diets. Cardiologist Johanna Contreras from Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital noted that while the study shows patients with atrial fibrillation can enjoy coffee in moderation, she stopped short of labeling coffee as having a protective quality.

The implications of this research could influence dietary recommendations for patients with atrial fibrillation, as traditional advice often cautions against caffeine consumption due to concerns it may trigger elevated heart rates.

The findings challenge previous assumptions regarding coffee's impact on heart health, signaling a potential shift in how medical professionals approach advice on caffeine intake for those with irregular heartbeats.