Coffee Consumption May Reduce Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence in Some Patients, Study Finds

A new clinical trial suggests that drinking one cup of coffee daily may significantly reduce the recurrence of atrial fibrillation in adults who have undergone treatment to restore normal heart rhythm. The Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation (DECAF) trial found that participants who consumed coffee had a 39% lower risk of AFib recurrence compared to those who avoided all caffeine products during the six-month study period. These findings challenge the long-standing medical belief that caffeine consumption may trigger or worsen abnormal heart rhythms in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The study enrolled 200 adults with AFib who typically drank about one cup of caffeinated coffee per day and were scheduled for cardioversion therapy to restore normal heart rhythm. Participants were randomly assigned to either continue their coffee consumption or avoid all caffeine for six months following their treatment. The results showed that 47% of coffee drinkers experienced recurrent AFib or atrial flutter episodes lasting more than 30 seconds, compared to 64% of those in the no-caffeine group. Senior study author Gregory M. Marcus, M.D., M.A.S., a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, stated that the study results suggest caffeinated coffee may not raise the risk of AFib and may even reduce it.

The research was presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025 and simultaneously published in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA. Study participants had an average age of 69 years, with 71% being men and 80% self-identifying as white adults. All participants were followed for up to six months, with AFib episodes verified by healthcare professionals or through medical-grade electrocardiogram devices. The study was conducted at five healthcare centers in the United States, Australia, and Canada between 2021 and 2024.

Researchers caution that the findings may not apply to all AFib patients, particularly those who drink more than one cup of coffee daily or consume other caffeinated beverages like energy drinks. The study also only included people who were already coffee drinkers, leaving open the question of whether starting coffee consumption would provide similar benefits. Marcus noted that while it may be reasonable for healthcare professionals to allow AFib patients to experiment with naturally caffeinated substances they enjoy, some individuals may still find that caffeine triggers or worsens their symptoms.

Atrial fibrillation currently affects more than 6 million people in the United States and can lead to serious complications including blood clots, stroke, and heart failure, according to the American Heart Association's 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics. The study's findings represent a significant shift in understanding how caffeine affects heart rhythm disorders and may lead to revised dietary recommendations for AFib patients. However, researchers emphasize the need for individualized approaches, as patient responses to caffeine can vary significantly.