Cafeine Can Help Boost Heart Health - Study

Scientists said drinking coffee and tea every day may actually benefit people with heart troubles.

A new study published in the ‘Journal of the American College of Cardiology,’ has linked caffeine consumption to decreased rates of arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms.

Heart arrhythmia also known as arrhythmia, dysrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, is a group of conditions in which the heartbeat is irregular, too fast, or too slow.

Many types of arrhythmia have no symptoms and when symptoms are present, these may include palpitations or feeling a pause between heartbeats.

More seriously there may be lightheadedness, passing out, shortness of breath, or chest pain. While most types of arrhythmia are not serious, some predispose a person to complications such as stroke or heart failure. Others may result in cardiac arrest.

However, the researchers warned against the consumption of energy drinks that contain high levels of caffeine for anyone with a pre-existing heart condition.

Previous studies suggested that there were potential health benefits associated with drinking coffee include protecting against type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, liver disease, liver cancer, and promoting a healthy heart.

In the new study, they reviewed 11 major international studies involving 360,000 people and found caffeine had no effect on ventricular arrhythmias, which is a type of regular and fast heart rate that arises from improper electrical activity in the ventricles of the heart.

Many clinicians advise patients with atrial or ventricular arrhythmias to avoid caffeinated beverages, while some who dread coffee consumption deliberately keep away from drinking the bevearage on the excuse that they react to it.

Although, there was a public perception, often based on circumstantial experience, that caffeine was a common acute trigger for heart rhythm problems,” the Director of Electrophysiology at Alfred Hospital and Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia, Dr. Peter Kistler said, “Our extensive review of the medical literature suggests this is not the case.”

“The analysis suggests caffeine intake of up to 300 milligrams a day may be safe for patients with arrhythmias. This equates to roughly three cups of coffee.”

They however noted that there may be individual differences in susceptibility to the effects of caffeine on the factors, which trigger arrhythmias in some.

“Caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea may have long term anti-arrhythmic properties mediated by antioxidant effects and antagonism of adenosine,” Kistler said.

“In numerous population-based studies, patients who regularly consume coffee and tea at moderate levels have a lower lifetime risk of developing heart rhythm problems and possibly improved survival.”-

Categories: General