At the Heart of the Matter : Caffeinated Coffee

"It’s an interesting association but at this point, that’s all it is. I would caution that we have to be careful distinguishing between associations and cause and effect studies."  

"It would be a big leap to interpret the available information as coffee protects us from heart disease or heart failure."

Pilar Stevens-Haynes, MD, FACC, director of echocardiography, Mount Sinai Heart, Mount Sinai South Nassau

 

"It can be difficult to truly differentiate between the qualities and characteristics of heavy coffee drinkers from some other habits that may be common among their group."

"There are still many variables that need to be considered and studied before a definitive correlation can be drawn between the two."

"To help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, one of the simplest things to do is get up and move. Even moderate amounts of exercise can cut your risk of coronary artery disease."

"If you pour yourself a cup of coffee, but then proceed to pour in cream and sugar, you’ve pretty much negated all health benefits. As a society, we love our big sugary drinks that clock in with hundreds of calories and dozens of grams of sugar. These are not the coffee drinks the study is referring to, so if your decision comes down to a large cup of sugar-filled coffee drinks or nothing, you’re better off choosing nothing."

Nodar Janas, MD, family medicine physician, medical director, Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation

 

"Coffee and caffeine are often considered by the general population to be 'bad' for the heart because people associate them with palpitations, high blood pressure, and more."

"The consistent relationship between increasing caffeine consumption and decreasing heart failure risk contradicts that assumption."

"[Exactly why coffee seems to have some health benefits remains unknown but perhaps it may have something to do with its diuretic effect, which] causes water loss through increased urination, thereby lowering central heart pressures and strain on the heart."

Satjit Bhusri, MD, cardiologist and founder, Upper East Side Cardiology

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A new study finds that there are positive links to coffee consumption when it comes to reducing heart failure risks. The study undertook to analyze three major studies on heart disease. All three had followed a total number of 21,362 U.S. adults for a decade, to arrive at their conclusions. This latest study synthesized the three to conclude that consuming one or more cups of caffeinated coffee on a daily basis has great heart benefits. 

 

A conclusion that is not particularly new, but one that consolidates previous positive links, even while the takeaway is not universally shared within the medical community.

All three studies that comprised the basis for the megastudy indicated that the odds of developing heart failure steeply declined for those who participnted in each of the studies who daily enjoyed at least a cup of caffeinated coffee. The decline in risk of developing heart disease, however varied according to the amount of coffee consumed in a day. Two studies came up with a decrease in risk of between five to 12 percent per cup taken daily, as opposed to no coffee consumption at all.

The third study discovered no drop in risk for one cup taken daily, yet a 30 percent reduction in risk for those who daily consumed two or more cups of caffeinated coffee. The report, published in a journal of the American Heart Association, saw researchers describing caffeine as "an important contributor" to the heart failure risk reduction with its coffee consumption link. 

 

They did find, however, that consuming decaffeinated coffee as an alternative, held no benefit for reducing heart failure.

"While coffee has gotten a bad rap over the years, a new study has found that it may actually help reduce your risk of heart failure. It’s the latest in a series of research that has found an association between coffee and heart health benefits."

"With cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in the United States, it’s important to take measures to protect your heart. Coffee may play a role, but more research is needed. In the meantime, you can reduce your risk of heart disease by eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight."

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Drinking one or more cups of coffee a day may reduce the risk of heart failure, according to new research. But only if it's caffeinated.   Westend61, Getty Images)