Scientists from Johns Hopkins University have found that coffee does not increase the risk of atrial premature beat in healthy people. Research published New England Journal of Medicine.
Atrial extrasystole is premature contraction of the atria when there may not be enough blood in them. In this case, a person may feel a “missed” or “extra” heartbeat. This is a normal phenomenon that occurs in healthy people. However, elderly people with frequent atrial premature beats may be at increased risk for atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and stroke.
In a new study, scientists set out to find out if coffee consumption could increase the frequency of premature atrial beats in healthy people.
The clinical trial involved 100 healthy adults, most of whom drank no more than one cup of coffee per day. For two weeks, some participants drank only caffeinated coffee on certain days. All this time, they wore a device to measure the electrical activity of the heart.
The study showed that the frequency of atrial premature beats was 58 cases on coffee-drinking days and 53 cases on coffee-free days. Given the small difference, we can conclude that coffee consumption does not affect atrial premature beats.
A slightly larger difference was observed for ventricular extrasystole, i.e. early contractions of the ventricles: 154 cases on coffee-drinking days and 102 cases on non-coffee-drinking days.
The scientists concluded that, overall, their clinical trials confirmed the findings of larger observational studies. But they warned people not to drink caffeinated energy drinks: These drinks have been associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias among healthy young people.
Scientists have recommended limiting caffeine intake and consulting a doctor for those who experience visible heart rhythm disturbances due to coffee. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, healthy adults can safely consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, which does not exceed four to five cups of coffee.