Historically physicians recommend avoiding coffee in patients with arrhythmia and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, data is lacking on safety of coffee in those with prevalent arrhythmia/CVD. We sought to investigate the associations between coffee and mortality/arrhythmia outcomes in prevalent conditions
Methods: The UK Biobank consists of 502543 people followed over > 10years. Self-reported coffee intake was divided into 0, <1, 1, 2-3, 4-5, >5 cups/day. CVD included coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiac failure, and stroke. Cox regression with hazard ratios (HR) was used to assess associations with mortality/arrhythmia outcomes
Results: CVD was diagnosed in 34279 people, with 6721(19.6%) deaths. Coffee intake was safe at all levels, with improved survival at 2-3 cups/day (HR0.92, CI 0.86-0.99, p=0.03). Coffee consumption at all levels was not associated with risk of arrhythmia including atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) in those with CVD. Of 24111 participants diagnosed with an arrhythmia, coffee intake was associated with mortality reduction. Lowest risk was at 1 cup/day (HR0.85, CI 0.78-0.94, p<0.01). In those with AF/AFL, 1 cup/day was associated with improved survival (HR0.82, CI 0.73-0.93, p<0.01)

Conclusion: Regular coffee intake is safe in prevalent CVD with no increase in risk of arrhythmia. Survival benefit with coffee intake was observed in those with prevalent arrhythmia. Coffee should not be discouraged in patients with prevalent CVD and arrhythmia

https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/10461/presentation/23368