Coffee and Cardiovascular Health: Is There a Benefit?
ACC 2022
Consuming caffeine has been thought to induce cardiac dysrhythmias, leaving patients and physicians to worry that drinking coffee can worsen or trigger certain cardiovascular issues. However, findings from 3 new studies suggest consuming coffee on a daily basis can benefit persons with and without cardiovascular disease. The studies will be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 71st Scientific Sessions, held April 2-4, 2022. In the slides below, find a brief preview of topline results that may inform clinical practice.
Investigators used data from the UK BioBank to analyze the association between varying levels of coffee consumption and arrhythmias; CVD, including coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive cardiac failure (CCF), and stroke; and total and cardiovascular-related mortalities among persons with and without CVD. Coffee intake was obtained from participant questionnaires and divided into the following groups: 0, <1, 2-3, 4-5, >5 cups of coffee per day.
Study #1. Researchers examined data from 382 535 persons without known CVD to assess whether coffee consumption was associated with incident arrhythmia, CVD, and mortality over 10 years of follow up. The average age of participants was 57 years and 52% of the total cohort were women.
Study #1. Researchers found consuming 2-3 cups of coffee/day showed the lowest risk for CVD, CAD, CCF, and all-cause mortality. Stroke risk was lowest at <1 cup of coffee/day and CV mortality risk was lowest at 1 cup/day. Researchers observed a U-shape relationship between higher coffee intake and incident arrhthmia.
The study, "Effects of Habitual Coffee Consumption on Incident Cardiovascular Disease, Arrhythmia, and Mortality: Findings from UK BioBank," will be presented on Sunday, April 3, at 10:00 am ET in Prevention and Health Promotion Moderator Poster Theater 4, Hall C.
Study #2. Investigators analyzed the associations between coffee and mortality and arrhythmia among 34 279 participants with some form of CVD at baseline. Coffee intake was found to be safe at all levels, with improved survival at 2-3 cups/day. Coffee intake at all levels was not associated with risk of arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL) in those with CVD.
Study #2. Among the 24 111 participants who had an arrhythmia at baseline, coffee intake was associated with mortality reduction. In those with AF/AFL, 1 cup/day was associated with improved survival.
The second study, “Regular Coffee Intake is Associated with Improved Mortality in Prevalent Cardiovascular Disease,” will be presented virtually on Saturday, April 2, at 8:30 am ET.
Study #3. Researchers analyzed the relationship between CVD and the type of coffee consumed: ground, instant, or decaffeinated.
Study #3. Results showed consuming 1-5 cups/day of instant and ground coffee was associated with reduced risk of arrhythmia, CVD, CAD, CCF, and stroke.
The third study, “Ground, Instant, or Decaffeinated Coffee? Impact of Different Coffee Subtypes on Incident Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality,” will be presented on Sunday, April 3, at 10:00 am ET in Electrophysiology Moderated Poster Theater 7, Hall C.
