Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common heart rhythm disorder that causes the heart to beat too quickly and irregularly and can lead to stroke or heart failure.
For years, doctors have been warning people with AFib or other heart issues to avoid coffee, for fear the caffeinated drink could worsen their symptoms.
But recent research has found no evidence that coffee consumption raises the risk of any form of arrhythmia.
In fact, one study found that drinking more coffee was associated with a 3% reduced risk of developing an arrhythmia, including AFib, premature ventricular contractions, or other common heart conditions.
Another team of scientists has done a deeper dive into the connection between coffee and AFib, and what they’ve discovered is, in their words, “astounding”….
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Coffee: Not just safe, but beneficial
Rates of AFib have been rising in recent years as the population ages and obesity rates climb. Experts estimate that as many as one in three people may experience the condition at some point in their lives.
To dig deeper into the relationship between caffeinated coffee and AFib, researchers designed a randomized clinical trial involving 200 regular coffee drinkers who had persistent AFib or a related condition known as atrial flutter, along with a history of AFib.
All of them were scheduled to undergo electrical cardioversion, a procedure that involves administering a controlled electrical shock to restore normal heart rhythm.
Participants were randomly assigned to either drink at least one cup of caffeinated coffee or an espresso shot each day, or to completely abstain from coffee and other caffeinated beverages, for six months.
At the end of the study, the group that drank coffee experienced a whopping 39% lower risk of recurring AFib episodes.
But why? The research suggests three specific benefits that contribute to a healthier heart rhythm…
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The researchers theorized that coffee’s potential anti-inflammatory effects and its replacement of less healthy drinks, such as sugary sodas, could account for its positive impact on AFib.
But that’s not all…
“Coffee increases physical activity, which is known to reduce atrial fibrillation,” says Dr. Gregory M. Marcus, an electrophysiologist at UCSF Health and the senior author of the study.
Another benefit Marcus adds is that “caffeine is also a diuretic, which could potentially reduce blood pressure and in turn lessen AFib risk.”
“Doctors have always recommended that patients with problematic AFib minimize their coffee intake, but this trial suggests that coffee is not only safe but likely to be protective,” says first author Dr. Christopher X. Wong of UCSF, the University of Adelaide and the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
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Other ways to manage AFib
Clearly, if you have AFib and don’t already drink coffee, you may want to add a daily cup to your routine. In addition to its beneficial impact on AFib, coffee has plenty of other heart benefits, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk of death after a heart attack, and lower heart failure risk.
But if (like me) you’re simply not a coffee lover, here are some other natural ways to manage your AFib risk:
- Try capers: Studies have found that the quercetin in caper extract could help prevent cardiac arrhythmias by regulating how certain channels in the body sense electrical activity.
- Add magnesium: Magnesium deficiency is one of the main contributors to heart rhythm issues, so make sure you’re getting enough magnesium through diet or supplementation.
- Get exercise: Research shows that people who average 2.5 to 5 hours of exercise a week have a 60% reduced risk of developing AFib.
- Avoid alcohol: Even moderate drinking can lead to AFib, with some studies showing an 8 percent increase in the incidence of AFib for each daily standard drink.
- Snack on nuts: According to research, eating nuts three times a week can reduce your AFib risk by 19 percent.
Sources:
Surprising heart study finds daily coffee may cut AFib risk by 39% — ScienceDaily
Caffeinated Coffee Consumption or Abstinence to Reduce Atrial Fibrillation — JAMA
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