Key Highlights
- Coffee consumption is safe for people with atrial fibrillation and may help protect against recurrence of the condition.
- A new study found that drinking a cup of caffeinated coffee daily could reduce the risk of atrial flutter by 47% compared to those who abstained from caffeine.
- The DECAF (Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation?) study involved over 200 participants with a history of irregular heart rhythm and lasted for four years.
- Experts suggest that moderation is key, as more than one cup per day may not offer additional benefits.
New Study Reveals Coffee’s Role in Atrial Fibrillation Management
A new study presented at the annual American Heart Association conference in New Orleans and published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has shed light on the relationship between coffee consumption and atrial fibrillation, a common heart condition that affects millions of Americans.
The DECAF Study: A Groundbreaking Approach
The DECAF study, led by Dr. Gregory Marcus from the University of California, San Francisco, involved 200 older adults in Australia, Canada, and the United States who were regular coffee drinkers at some point in the last five years. The participants, with an average age of 70 and one-third being women, were randomly assigned to either a group that cut out caffeine or a control group that could consume up to one cup of caffeinated coffee daily for six months.
Self-Reported Consumption vs. ECG Data
The study utilized a combination of self-reported consumption during telehealth and video check-ins, along with electrocardiogram (ECG) data taken in doctor’s offices, wearable heart monitors, and implantable cardiac devices to track atrial fibrillation events.
Over the six-month trial period, 111 participants experienced a recurrent episode of atrial flutter. The research revealed that individuals who drank coffee were less likely to have a recurrence – only 47% compared to 64% in the no-coffee group. Furthermore, those in the coffee-drinking group went longer periods without experiencing their first episode.
Previous Observations and New Evidence
The study builds upon previous observational research that suggested caffeine consumption could be associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation. This new trial provides a more definitive link, demonstrating a cause-and-effect relationship between drinking coffee and reduced recurrence rates.
“I was somewhat surprised at the magnitude of how protective caffeinated coffee does seem to be to prevent atrial fibrillation,” said Dr. Marcus, who is also an associate editor of JAMA.
Healthcare Professional’s Perspective
Dr. Johanna Contreras from Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York highlighted that the study’s key takeaway was that a cup of coffee per day appears to be perfectly safe for people with atrial fibrillation, rather than being protective.
“There’s not a hard-and-fast rule. Not everyone has the same reaction to caffeine,” noted Dr. Contreras, who was not involved in the trial.
Limitations and Future Implications
The study had several limitations, including the effects of other caffeinated beverages besides coffee and potential differences in exercise habits or diet among participants. Marcus suggested that people already regular coffee drinkers could have a cup daily without worry, but more than one cup might not offer additional benefits.
While the study focused on individuals who were not currently experiencing episodes of atrial fibrillation, the findings may not translate to those with unmanaged disorders. Additionally, caffeine could potentially increase pulse rate during an episode and exacerbate symptoms in some cases.
The research opens up new avenues for understanding how lifestyle factors like diet can impact heart health and provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals advising patients with atrial fibrillation.
