New Study Suggests Coffee May Reduce Risk of Atrial Fibrillation, Says Veteran Heart Surgeon

For many years, people with heart rhythm problems have been told to stay away from coffee. Doctors often warned that caffeine could irritate the heart and trigger episodes of atrial fibrillation, commonly known as AFib. But new research shared by Dr Jeremy London, a cardiovascular surgeon with 25 years of experience, suggests that this long-held belief may not be true.

AFib is a common heart condition where the upper chambers of the heart do not beat properly. Instead of moving blood smoothly, they quiver, which can cause a fast or irregular heartbeat. Patients with AFib are often careful about what they eat or drink, believing that certain things—especially caffeine—can make the condition worse.

Dr London recently discussed a new randomised controlled trial that challenges this idea. In a video shared on Instagram, he explained that doctors have always thought of caffeine as a stimulant that could upset the heart’s rhythm. For decades, patients with AFib were advised to avoid coffee completely, especially if they had a history of repeated episodes.

However, the new study tested this belief in a scientific way. Researchers took 200 patients with atrial fibrillation and divided them into two groups. One group drank caffeinated coffee every day. The other group avoided coffee entirely. The aim was to see whether coffee made AFib return more often, or whether it had no effect at all.

The results surprised even the researchers. According to Dr London, patients who drank at least one cup of coffee each day had a 39 percent lower chance of recurrent AFib in the six months following their medical procedure. In simple words, the coffee drinkers had fewer episodes of AFib than those who avoided it.

Dr London stressed that this was only one study, and the sample size of 200 patients was relatively small. He warned that people should not start drinking large amounts of coffee based on this result alone. But the findings do suggest that a moderate amount of coffee may not be harmful for AFib patients—and may even offer some protection.

He also explained that this is why scientific research is important. Sometimes, health advice that has been followed for many years is based on assumptions rather than strong evidence. Testing these beliefs through controlled studies helps doctors give better guidance to patients.

Still, Dr London reminded viewers that every person is different. What works for one patient may not work for another. He encouraged people with AFib to speak to their doctors before making any changes to their diet or caffeine intake. Medical decisions should always be made with proper guidance.

The article also noted that the information comes from social media content and has not been independently verified. Readers were reminded that this report should not replace medical advice from a qualified professional.