17 Oct Moderate Caffeine Not Linked to Arrhythmias In Heart Disease Patients
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Luis E. Rohde
Luis E. Rohde, MD, ScD
Postgraduate Program in Health Science: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Medical School, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul,
Cardiovascular Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Caffeine-rich beverages have been implicated as a common cause of several cardiac-related symptoms, such as palpitations, tachycardia, or irregular heartbeats.
Because of this “intuitive” assumption, counseling to reduce or avoid caffeine consumption is still widely recommended in clinical practice by most physicians for patients with any heart disease.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: In this paper, we administered a relatively high-dose of caffeine or plabebo, in a double blinded crossover design, to patients with heart failure, a cardiovascular condition that is presumably of high risk for cardiac arrhythmias. We found no association between caffeine ingestion and arrhythmic episodes. In fact our results challenge the perception that patients with heart disease and at risk for arrhythmias should avoid or limit caffeine intake.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: There is no contemporary data demonstrating that is safe to drink caffeine-rich beverages in patients with heart disease, regarding the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Our results indicate the short-term use of caffeine in these patients was not pro-arrhythmic.
Our data reassure that most patients with heart disease might drink moderate doses of caffeine-rich beverages with no major risks.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Prospective studies that evaluate long-term use of caffeine in patients with heart problems might confirm that this is safe for everyday drinkers.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
upcoming JAMA publication:
Short-term Effects of High-Dose Caffeine on Cardiac Arrhythmias in Patients With Heart Failure A Randomized Clinical Tria
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
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Last Updated on October 17, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD