By Edward J. Thomas –
There is a new buzz coming from coffee. It may, in fact, be a godsend for those dealing with atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder in adults, affecting more than 5 million people in the U.S.
Downing multiple cups of coffee each day may help prevent cognitive decline in people with atrial fibrillation—which is relatively common, according to a study sponsored by the American Heart Association.
“Many myths are around, but our study found no reason to discourage or forbid a patient with AFib from drinking coffee. Instead, say, ‘Enjoy, it may even be good for you!'” noted Dr. Jürg H. Beer, the study’s senior author and professor of medicine and hematology at the University of Zürich in Switzerland.
Recent guidelines for managing atrial fibrillation noted that abstaining from caffeine to prevent heart rhythm disturbances is of no benefit to people with the condition. The related symptoms can include rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fatigue and more.
“It is known that regular coffee consumption benefits cognitive performance among healthy people,” added Dr. Massimo Barbagallo, the study’s lead author.”
Among other benefits, the caffeine in coffee can enhance mood, metabolism and mental and physical performance. These gains, however, are tied to low to moderate consumption of three to five cups of black coffee daily. Adding sugar, milk and cream can change the equation through increased intake of calories and fat. Beyond this, excessive coffee consumption can also bring on anxiety, insomnia, muscle breakdown and even caffeine addiction.
The Swiss Atrial Fibrillation Cohort Study examined a different aspect of coffee’s potential impact.
“The most frequent cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, is known to independently increase the risk of dementia. Thus, the question is whether coffee might offset the increased risk of cognitive impairment in people with AFib,” Barbagallo explained.
It followed more than 2,400 people in Switzerland diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. These individuals completed several cognitive tests and reported how many cups of caffeinated coffee they drank during the last 12 months regardless of added sweeteners, creams or flavors. Cup size was not standardized.
The research team then analyzed the cognitive assessments and examined whether drinking coffee might avoid the cognitive decline tied to atrial fibrillation. Because Alzheimer’s disease and cardiac arrhythmia are associated with systemic inflammation, researchers also analyzed markers of inflammation.
The study revealed that higher cognitive test scores were associated with higher coffee consumption. More specifically, scores for processing speed, visuomotor coordination and attention improved 11 percent among coffee consumers compared to non-consumers.
In addition, cognitive age was calculated to be 6.7 years younger among those who drank the most coffee compared to those who drank the least. Inflammatory markers also were more than 20 percent lower in participants drinking five cups daily than in participants drinking less than one cup daily.
Researchers did not find any interaction between age, sex and coffee consumption.
“There was a very clear and consistent dose-response association between drinking more coffee and doing better on several different sophisticated cognitive tests,” Beer said. “Inflammatory markers decreased with higher coffee consumption, an association that remained after considering variables such as age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, physical activity and a history of stroke.”
The authors were quick to note that their findings don’t prove that coffee actually prevents long-term cognitive decline. But it does demonstrate a positive association for those dealing with atrial fibrillation.
“Other studies have shown coffee has cognitive-enhancing functions across the board. This, however, is not specific to the AFib population. We cannot conclude that coffee prevents long-term cognitive decline,” stressed Dr. Jose Joglar, a professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. “Coffee does not seem to worsen AFib so there is no need to stop drinking it. However, we cannot say starting to drink coffee would prevent AFib or prevent long-term cognitive decline.”
