Atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder where the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly and often too quickly, is no small concern. It doubles the risk of death, is a leading cause of stroke, and significantly increases the risk of heart failure. With more than five million adults in the U.S. currently living with it, it's something to take seriously.
For years, the standard advice has been to avoid caffeine if you have AFib or other heart conditions. But new research suggests that in some cases, coffee might actually help your heart.
A new study published in JAMA followed 200 adults with persistent AFib who were scheduled for cardioversion, a procedure that restores normal heart rhythm. All of the participants were coffee drinkers. Researchers split them into two groups for six months, with one group continuing to drink at least one cup of coffee per day while the other avoided coffee and all caffeinated products entirely. The group that continued drinking coffee had significantly fewer AFib recurrences than the group that cut out caffeine.
About 47 percent of the coffee drinkers had a recurrence during the study period, compared to 64 percent of those who abstained. That’s a 39 percent lower risk for the coffee group—and we’re talking about good ol' regular, caffeinated coffee. Not decaf.
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Researchers note that caffeine can have mild anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and may even help modulate the electrical signaling that controls heartbeat. It also helps with mood, alertness, and exercise readiness, which could indirectly support heart health and overall activity levels.
"Coffee increases physical activity, which is known to reduce atrial fibrillation," Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS, senior author, told Medical Xpress. "Caffeine is also a diuretic, which could potentially reduce blood pressure and in turn lessen AFib risk. Several other ingredients in coffee also have anti-inflammatory properties that could have positive effects."
To be clear, this doesn't mean everyone with AFib should start slugging down several cups of coffee a day. The average intake in the study was one cup per day, not multiple shots of espresso. But it does challenge the long-held belief that caffeine should be avoided for people with AFib. Still, it’s important to discuss your habits with your cardiologist before making changes.
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