Caffeine does not appear to increase the risk of arrhythmia in the majority of consumers.
- Each additional cup of coffee a person drinks daily could reduce the risk of cardiac arrhythmia by about 3% on average.
- The researchers found no link between coffee and arrhythmia, even when taking into account genetic factors that might influence how individuals metabolize caffeine.
- The potential protective benefits of coffee remain low and should not lead to excessive consumption.
For a very long time, people with heart rhythm problems were advised to avoid coffee, fearing that a jolt of caffeine would throw it off balance. The follow-up of nearly 400,000 people for 4 years allowed researchers from the University of California at San Francisco to conclude that caffeine does not seem to increase the risk of arrhythmia in the majority of consumers. The results were presented on July 19 in the JAMA Internal Medicine.
Each additional cup of coffee reduces the risk of arrhythmia
“We see no evidence for this general recommendation to avoid coffee or caffeinesays Dr. Gregory Marcus, cardiology researcher at the University of California and co-author of the study. There could be individuals for whom caffeine is their trigger, but I think the mounting evidence is that those cases are actually quite rare.”
The study goes even further and estimates that each additional cup of coffee a person drinks daily could reduce the risk of cardiac arrhythmia by around 3% on average. “The majority of people, even those with arrhythmia, should be able to enjoy their cup of coffee, and there may be some people for whom caffeine or coffee can actually help lower their risk.”, points out Dr. Marcus.
Do not over-interpret
Researchers analyzed data from more than 386,000 people taking part in a long-term UK health study. During the average follow-up of 4.5 years, approximately 17,000 volunteers developed a heart rhythm problem. The scientists compared the patients’ self-reported caffeine intakes to their likelihood of developing an abnormal heart rhythm overall. They found no link between the two, even taking into account genetic factors that might influence how individuals metabolize caffeine.
Despite these findings, the researchers caution against overinterpreting the results. The potential protective benefits of coffee remain low and should not lead to excessive consumption. “I think the bottom line, based on these results, is that coffee may not cause arrhythmias, but it doesn’t necessarily protect them either.,” warns Dr. Zachary Goldberger, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studied the research findings.
Find the mechanisms involved
“More research is needed to determine exactly how coffee affects the heart and why it might protect against arrhythmias.”, adds Gregory Marcus. The latter believes that the anti-inflammatory effects of coffee would be key, since inflammation can contribute to heart rhythm problems. “Caffeine may also cause some people to be more physically active, reducing the risk of arrhythmia.”, he continues.