FAQ: Coffee Consumption and Atrial Fibrillation Risk
TL;DR
Daily coffee consumption offers AFib patients a 39% lower recurrence risk, providing a potential health advantage over caffeine avoidance.
The DECAF trial randomly assigned 200 AFib patients to drink coffee daily or avoid caffeine, finding coffee drinkers had significantly fewer AFib recurrences.
This research may improve quality of life for millions with AFib by allowing them to enjoy coffee without fear of worsening their condition.
Contrary to common belief, drinking coffee daily reduced AFib recurrence by 39% in a clinical trial challenging assumptions about caffeine and heart rhythm.
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The study found that adults with AFib who drank at least one cup of caffeinated coffee daily were 39% less likely to have recurrent AFib episodes compared to those who avoided all caffeine for 6 months after treatment to restore normal heart rhythm.
This research challenges the common belief that caffeine may trigger abnormal heart rhythms and suggests that moderate coffee consumption may actually reduce AFib recurrence risk, potentially changing medical advice given to AFib patients.
The DECAF trial enrolled 200 adults with AFib who were randomly assigned to either continue drinking at least one cup of coffee daily or avoid all caffeine for 6 months after cardioversion therapy to restore normal heart rhythm.
The study included 200 adults diagnosed with atrial fibrillation who typically drank about one cup of caffeinated coffee per day and were about to receive cardioversion therapy to restore normal heart rhythm.
47% of participants in the coffee group had recurrent AFib or atrial flutter episodes, compared to 64% in the no-caffeine group, representing a 39% lower risk among coffee drinkers.
Researchers say it's reasonable for healthcare professionals to let AFib patients try naturally caffeinated drinks if they enjoy them, but note that some individuals may still find caffeine triggers or worsens their AFib symptoms.
The preliminary findings were presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025 in New Orleans from November 7-10, 2025, and simultaneously published in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA.
The study was called the Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation (DECAF) trial, led by Dr. Christopher X. Wong and senior author Dr. Gregory M. Marcus from the University of California, San Francisco and University of Adelaide.
Participants followed their assigned regimen for 6 months after receiving cardioversion therapy to restore normal heart rhythm.
Curated from NewMediaWire
