Coffee and cardiac arrhythmias: Up-date review of the literature and clinical studies

Coffee, next to water, is the most consumed drink in the world. Coffee contains over 1000 chemical compounds, the most popular of which are caffeine, chlorogenic acid, kahweol, cafestol and trigonel-line. Numerous studies have shown the beneficial effects of coffee on the cardiovascular system, nerv- ous system, digestive system and kidneys. Due to the high incidence of cardiac arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation, the influence of coffee consumption on arrhythmogenesis remains a controversial and clinically important issue. Many mechanisms by which coffee can increase and decrease the risk of arrhythmias have been described. Habitual consumption of moderate amounts of coffee seems to lead to less arrhythmias, which is reflected in the results of many clinical trials and meta-analyzes. This review summarizes the mechanisms of coffee action on the heart muscle and the results of the most re- cent important clinical trials assessing the impact of coffee consumption on the risk of various cardiac arrhythmias. (Cardiol J)

Automated summary

Coffee, the second most consumed drink in the world, has been found to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, nervous system, digestive system, and kidneys. However, the influence of coffee consumption on cardiac arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation, remains controversial. Moderate coffee consumption seems to reduce the risk of arrhythmias.