Atrial fibrillation stands as an independent determinant for the emergence of cognitive deficits. While regular coffee intake has been observed to confer cognitive advantages in healthy individuals, its efficacy in mitigating cognitive deterioration among susceptible patient populations remains a subject of debate. In a recent scientific investigation, researchers affiliated with the University Hospital Zurich and other institutions explored this correlation within an elderly cohort diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
The consumption of coffee by individuals afflicted with atrial fibrillation may correlate with enhanced cognitive faculties and diminished inflammatory indicators. Image courtesy of Sci.News.
Atrial fibrillation (AF), recognized as the predominant form of cardiac arrhythmia, impacts approximately 5% of individuals over the age of 65, with its prevalence escalating significantly thereafter.
AF elevates the risk of thromboembolic stroke by a factor of five. Moreover, it is recognized as an independent predictor for the development of mild cognitive impairment and dementia, exhibiting odds ratios ranging from 2.3 to 5.8, respectively.
Beyond its association with a greater incidence of vascular cognitive impairment and an increase in stroke volume and frequency, AF also heightens the predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease.
The 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation declared that abstaining from caffeine offers no discernible benefit to individuals with AF in preventing cardiac rhythm disturbances.
The guideline further stipulates that discontinuing coffee consumption may ameliorate symptoms for patients who report that caffeine exacerbates or triggers their AF-related conditions, which can encompass rapid heart rate, dizziness, and fatigue, among others.
“It is an established fact that consistent coffee consumption positively influences cognitive functioning in hale individuals,” stated Dr. Massimo Barbagallo, a researcher at the University Hospital Zurich.
“The most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, is known to independently augment the risk of dementia.”
“Consequently, the pertinent question is whether coffee possesses the capacity to counterbalance the heightened risk of cognitive impairment observed in individuals with AF.”
The Swiss Atrial Fibrillation Cohort Study (Swiss-AF) diligently monitors over 2,400 individuals in Switzerland who have received a diagnosis of AF.
Participants were incorporated into the study between 2014 and 2017, underwent a series of cognitive assessments, and provided information regarding their average daily intake of caffeinated coffee over the preceding 12 months, irrespective of any added sweeteners, creams, or flavorings. The volume of a standard cup was not uniformly defined.
In the recent study, Dr. Barbagallo and his research team meticulously analyzed these cognitive evaluations to ascertain if coffee consumption might serve to avert the cognitive decline that represents a recognized hazard associated with AF.
Given that both Alzheimer’s disease and AF are implicated in systemic inflammation, the researchers also undertook an analysis of inflammatory biomarkers.
Collectively, elevated scores on cognitive tests were demonstrably correlated with increased coffee consumption. Notably, scores pertaining to processing speed, visuomotor coordination, and attention showed a significant enhancement of 11% among coffee drinkers when contrasted with abstainers.
The calculated cognitive age for individuals who consumed the highest quantities of coffee was found to be 6.7 years younger compared to those who consumed the least.
Inflammatory markers exhibited a reduction exceeding 20% in participants consuming five cups daily, relative to those ingesting less than one cup daily.
“A discernible and consistent ‘dose-response’ relationship was observed between increased coffee consumption and superior performance across several distinct and sophisticated cognitive assessments,” remarked Professor Jürg Beer from the University of Zurich.
“A decrease in inflammatory markers was associated with higher coffee intake, a correlation that persisted even after accounting for variables such as age, sex, body mass index, smoking habits, physical activity levels, and a history of stroke.”
“Prior research suggests that the protective effects of habitual coffee consumption against age-related cognitive decline in the elderly may be attributable to caffeine and other bioactive constituents, including magnesium and vitamin B3 (Niacin); alternatively, it might stem from coffee’s role in curtailing the production of inflammatory agents.”
These research findings have been disseminated within the Journal of the American Heart Association.
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Massimo Barbagallo et al. Coffee Consumption Correlates With Better Cognitive Performance in Patients With a High Incidence for Stroke. Journal of the American Heart Association, published online December 14, 2024; doi: 10.1161/JAHA.124.034365
