Specialty cafes have been rapidly expanding in recent years. For many, a cup of coffee is not just a morning pick-me-up for office workers, but a symbol of trendiness and taste, particularly among young people. But the latest research highlights the potential risks of drinking too much coffee, including an increased risk of heart failure, especially for those with slow caffeine metabolism or a family history of heart disease.

The New England Journal of Medicine, a prestigious international medical journal, published cardiologist Dr Marcus’ research about coffee and heart disease last month. The study found that on days when participants drank coffee, they got an average of 1058 more steps than they did on abstention days, but their sleep time was reduced by 36 minutes. This shows that the more coffee they drank, the more physical activity and the less sleep they got.

The research also suggested that coffee can affect our hearts too. Based on DNA samples collected from participants, those who had greater reductions in sleep time when they drank coffee had genetics associated with slower caffeine metabolism, while those with faster caffeine metabolism had greater chances of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). For slow caffeine metabolisers, drinking more than a cup of coffee per day increased the risk of PVCs by 50% compared to those who didn't drink coffee. They also experienced palpitations or skipped heartbeats, which could potentially lead to atrial fibrillation or arrhythmia.

For high-risk groups with a family history of heart disease or individuals who already have heart problems, more frequent PVCs can lead to a weaker heart and a higher chance of heart failure. So, it's best to drink coffee moderately.

If you experience palpitations after drinking coffee and are concerned about the risk of arrhythmia and heart failure, it's important to prioritize your heart health. At re:HEALTH, we offer a comprehensive cardiac examination that's non-invasive, injection-free, and radiation-free, providing a preventive approach to cardiovascular screening. The comprehensive screening programme covers 30 cardiovascular and cardiac function indices, including cardiac output function, cardiac output rate, stroke volume index, cardiac contractility and more. This thorough assessment can help detect heart failure, hypertension, and stroke early. The screening package is suitable for anyone who cares about their heart health.

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