Health
Daily Coffee May Lower Afib Risk, Study Finds
Health Points
- New research suggests daily coffee may reduce atrial fibrillation recurrence.
- Study found a 39% relative risk reduction in new episodes for coffee drinkers.
- Experts advise consulting your doctor about caffeine’s effects on your heart health.
If you live with atrial fibrillation, having your daily cup of coffee might actually offer some benefits.
Researchers discovered that at least one cup of caffeinated coffee per day may lower the risk of recurrent irregular heartbeats in people already diagnosed with afib.
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder affecting millions in the United States and can lead to potentially serious complications.
“While the fact that caffeinated coffee appeared to be protective against atrial fibrillation was not terribly surprising given clues from prior observational (or nonrandomized) studies, I was surprised that the magnitude of the apparent benefit was so large,” says study author Gregory Marcus, MD, of UCSF Health.
During the six-month clinical trial, 200 adults with afib were split into two groups: half continued their typical coffee consumption, while the others avoided coffee entirely.
Among those who drank coffee, 47% experienced afib or flutter, compared to 64% in the abstaining group—pointing to a potential protective effect from caffeine.
Rates of hospitalization, heart failure, and stroke were similar between both groups during the study.
“This study is surprising in that not only does it not show increased risk of afib after cardioversion with caffeine consumption — it actually shows a 39 percent relative risk reduction in afib recurrence amongst those people who drank at least one cup of coffee a day,” says Omar K. Siddiqi, MD, of Boston University.
He adds, “Amongst habitual coffee drinkers, continued coffee consumption may actually reduce the risk of afib recurrence.”
Although caffeine has traditionally been viewed with caution, newer findings suggest it may actually be safe and even beneficial in moderate amounts for some people with afib.
Experts emphasize that advice should be individualized—if you know caffeine triggers your symptoms, discussing it with your healthcare provider remains vital.
The study did have limitations, including self-reported coffee intake and a focus on current or former habitual coffee drinkers, which could affect how broadly the results apply.
It’s important not to overdo it, as other caffeinated beverages like energy drinks have been linked to increased risk, and everyone’s heart may respond differently.
Always check with a healthcare professional before making changes to your caffeine habits, especially if you have a history of heart concerns.
For more details on this study, visit the full article at Everyday Health.
