Is Coffee Good for Your Heart?

Cardiologists often hear this question from their patients: "Can I drink coffee?"

In fact, there is very little evidence to suggest that coffee, even in moderation, is bad for us. Numerous studies suggest the opposite—good news for those who drink coffee daily☕️

The reason for these positive results is not known. It is suggested that the antioxidants in coffee are responsible for this effect. It is also known that coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of not only cardiovascular disease, but also cancer, stroke, diabetes, and inflammation🫣

So let's find out!

Studies show that moderate coffee consumption (2-5 cups per day) can reduce the risk of heart failure in healthy adults. However, we know that coffee increases heart rate, which is something that cardiac patients should avoid. Therefore, those with heart problems are advised to drink a maximum of two cups a day.

How does coffee affect the risk of heart attack?❤️‍🩹

In one study, patients who drank coffee during a heart attack felt better than heart attack patients who did not drink coffee. Studies show that coffee may even reduce cardiovascular events in elderly patients by slowing down valve damage.

Atrial fibrillation📈

Studies on coffee and its effects on heart health tend to focus on the drink’s effects on the upper chambers of the heart, called the atria. An irregular rhythm in the atria is called atrial fibrillation (or atrial fibrillation). Symptoms include dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. There has long been concern that drinking coffee could lead to atrial fibrillation, but recent studies show that this is not the case.

Does coffee increase your heart rate? 🫀

While coffee consumption does not affect the upper chambers of the heart, the lower chambers do. Even normal people sometimes experience premature ventricular contractions. However, high levels of these extra contractions can increase the risk of heart failure. Studies show that participants had about 50% more extra contractions on days when they drank coffee.

Effects on sleep😴

Participants who drank coffee slept 30 minutes less than those who did not, and each additional cup of coffee resulted in an additional 18 minutes of insomnia. Poor sleep can increase the risk of heart attack and other heart diseases.

Physical activity🏃🏻

On the other hand, drinking coffee has been found to increase energy levels. Those who drank coffee took 1,000 more steps than those who did not drink it. With each cup of coffee consumed, this figure increased by another 500 steps. More physical exercise reduces the risk of both fatal and non-fatal heart attacks.

So what conclusions can we draw🤔

For a long time, it was believed that coffee was harmful for patients who had or have heart problems, due to its effect on heart rate. However, studies show that for healthy adults, not only is it safe to drink coffee, but it can also reduce the risk of heart attacks and heart failure. Cardiology patients are advised to reduce their coffee consumption and drink a maximum of two cups per day to reduce any risks.

Text author: Aliyeva Zamira