Overview
- Researchers randomized 200 adults with atrial fibrillation after cardioversion at five centers in the United States, Australia and Canada to either drink at least one cup of caffeinated coffee daily or avoid all caffeine for six months.
- Recurrent atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter occurred in 47% of the coffee group versus 64% of the abstinence group, a 39% lower relative risk among coffee drinkers.
- Recurrences required electrocardiogram confirmation lasting more than 30 seconds, and roughly half of participants remained on antiarrhythmic medications during follow-up.
- No significant differences in side effects or adverse events were reported between groups, indicating that moderate coffee intake was well tolerated in this population.
- Investigators emphasized that results apply to typical coffee consumption among prior coffee drinkers, not to high-dose caffeine or energy drinks, and they urged confirmatory research before broad guideline changes.