Patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) who drank an average of one cup of coffee a day following successful cardioversion had fewer recurrences of AFib or atrial flutter compared with those who abstained from coffee, based on findings from the DECAF trial presented at AHA 2025 and simultaneously published in JAMA.

Christopher X. Wong, MBBS, MPH, PhD, et al., randomized 200 patients with persistent AFib or with atrial flutter with a history of AFib, to regular caffeinated coffee consumption (a least one cup a day) following cardioversion or to coffee and caffeine abstinence for six months. Participants were from the U.S., Canada and Australia and were current or previous coffee drinkers, averaging roughly seven cups of coffee consumption per week at baseline.

Overarching results found the incidence of AFib or atrial flutter was less among those in the coffee consumption group (47%) compared with those in the coffee abstinence group (64%). No significant differences were observed across both groups in terms of adverse events.

“Our study results suggest that caffeinated coffee may not be responsible for raising the risk of AFib and may even reduce it,” said senior study author Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS, FACC. “It is reasonable for health care professionals to let their AFib patients consider experimenting with naturally caffeinated substances that they may enjoy, such as caffeinated tea and coffee. However, some people may still find that caffeine or caffeinated coffee triggers or worsens their AFib.”

The study had limitations, including that it only enrolled people who already drink coffee. Future studies might investigate whether AFib episodes are reduced in people who start drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages for the first time, according to Marcus and colleagues. Additionally, because the study participants consumed about one cup of coffee per day, the results may not apply to people who drink more coffee or other beverages containing caffeine, such as energy drinks.

Clinical Topics: Arrhythmias and Clinical EP, Prevention, Implantable Devices, SCD/Ventricular Arrhythmias, Atrial Fibrillation/Supraventricular Arrhythmias

Keywords: AHA Annual Scientific Sessions, AHA25, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Secondary Prevention