coffee May Reduce โRelapseโ Risk โfor โฃThose with Atrial Fibrillation, New Study Finds
For years, โindividualsโฃ diagnosed with heart conditions like atrial โfibrillation were often advised โคto avoid coffee. Though, โrecent research suggests this long-held belief might potentially be inaccurate, and that coffee consumption could actually be beneficial.
People with atrial fibrillation frequently abstain fromโ coffee due to concerns that โขcaffeine triggers cardiac arrhythmias. But a new study conductedโค by โscientists from Australia, the USA, and Canada challenges this recommendation, demonstrating that daily coffee intake can โขsubstantially lower the risk of atrial fibrillation relapse.
The study followed 200 participants diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, all preparing to undergo cardioversion – a procedure to restore normal heart rhythm. Participants were divided into two groups: โoneโฃ group was instructedโ to drink at least โone cup of coffee daily, while โthe other group โฃwholly avoided caffeine.
After โขa six-month period, notable โdifferences emerged. โAtrial fibrillation recurred in 47 percent of the coffee-drinking group, compared to 64 percent in the caffeine-free group. โThis translates โto a 39 percent reductionโ in relapse risk for those whoโค consumedโฃ coffee.
“Contrary to popular belief, there was a clear advantage among coffee drinkers,” stated Dr. Christopher Wong, theโ study โฃleader from the University of Adelaide. This research represents โthe โfrist clinical trialโ to specifically investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and atrial fibrillation.
Researchers propose several potential explanations for this surprising finding.
Cardiologist Gregory marcus from the University of California highlights the implications for patients: “Patients with atrial fibrillation can definitely try out whetherโค coffee is โgoodโ for them.” โHeโ emphasizes that the study indicates moderate coffee consumption is at least harmless and mayโ even โprove advantageous.
Theโ study underscores the importance of understanding โขhabits โthat โคimpact atrial fibrillation, a condition โคaffecting millions worldwide and potentially leading to โstrokesโค or heart failure. Individuals uncertainโฃ about coffee’s effect on โฃtheir heart rhythm are advised to consult with a physician for โฃa personalized assessment,especially those with pre-existing heart conditions.