On the one side, caffeine can increase arrythmias or interfere with sleeping, but on the other hand, it helps people feel more energetic and do more physical activity.
These data contribute to the evidence supporting the fact that people who present, or are at risk of presenting supra ventricular arrythmias or atrial fibrillation might not need to avoid coffee.
The CRAVE study included 100 young volunteers with no prior arrythmia or heart disease who were instructed to modify caffeine intake habits in two-day blocks.
Coffee intake did not increase atrial arrythmia, but slightly increased premature ventricular contractions. On the other hand, the day people were allowed to have coffee, they walked 1,000 more steps vs the day coffee was not allowed (p=0.001).
Coffee intake was defined as one standard cup of coffee or an expresso.
There were no differences between having or not having coffee and the incidence of atrial arrythmia. Also, coffee consumption was associated to fewer supra ventricular tachycardia, but more premature ventricular contractions.
Read also: AHA 2021 | PALACS: Posterior Left Pericardiotomy Improves Post-Procedural AF.
The day participants were allowed to have coffee, they slept mean 36 minutes less than abstinence day.
Original Title: The coffee and real-time atrial and ventricular ectopy (CRAVE) trial.
Reference: presentado por Marcus GM durante las sesiones científicas del congreso de la AHA 2021.
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