Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco - UCSF (USA) and the University of Adelaide (Australia) discovered that drinking caffeinated coffee every day can help reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation.
This finding goes against the old advice that people with heart disease should limit caffeine. Coffee even has a protective effect on the heart, according to the Times Of India (India).
39% lower risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence
The study, called DECAF — short for “Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation?” — is the first randomized clinical trial to directly examine the link between caffeinated coffee and atrial fibrillation.
Drinking coffee is associated with a 39% lower risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence
Photo: AI
Scientists followed 200 people with chronic atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, who were about to undergo electrical shock therapy to restore their heart rhythm. They were randomly divided into two groups: One group drank at least one cup of coffee or one shot of espresso a day; the other group abstained from coffee and other caffeinated drinks for six months.
The results showed that the coffee group had a 39% lower risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence, and also showed signs of significantly reduced inflammation. The researchers believe that the habit of drinking coffee may also help patients reduce their consumption of other unhealthy drinks.
“The results are amazing,” said study co-author Dr. Christopher X. Wong, University of Adelaide (Australia). “Doctors have long advised patients with atrial fibrillation to limit their coffee intake, but this study shows that coffee is not only safe but can also be a ‘good friend’ to the heart.”
The research results were published in the medical journal JAMA Network (USA).
A cup of coffee a day reduces the risk of arrhythmia
Atrial fibrillation is a condition in which the heart beats rapidly and irregularly, which can lead to stroke or heart failure. The condition is on the rise, especially among older adults and those who are overweight. More than 10 million adults in the US have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, and the number could rise to as much as a third of the population in the future – making the new findings particularly important.
Doctors have previously advised people with arrhythmias to avoid caffeine because they fear it could worsen the condition. However, this study found the opposite: drinking a cup of coffee a day reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation recurring by up to 39%.
According to Dr. Gregory M. Marcus, a cardiologist at UCSF - the lead author of the study, coffee can bring many positive effects: "Caffeine also has a diuretic effect, reduces blood pressure and the burden on the cardiovascular system. In addition, coffee also contains many anti-inflammatory compounds that can bring long-term benefits."