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.”-
