an Caffeine Trigger Near Syncope?

[Tiburon]

I quit drinking caffeinated coffee several months ago. My cardiologist told me I should avoid stimulants, as they can be AFib triggers, However, I have since seen studies concluding one or two cups of coffee per day should not trigger AFIb. So, as I was thinking about going back to my morning two-shot cappuccino, I remembered that since I quit caffeinated espresso, I have not had a presyncope event. Before quitting caffeine, I might have a presyncope event every three months. They would last 1-3 seconds, and could be quite scary while driving. Has anyone here experienced a connection between caffeine use and presyncope?

[BobD Volunteer]

Yes and by the way if you have pre syncope you MUST NOT drive.

I seldom drink coffee but every now and again if my wife and I go out I may have a latte but am not allowed sugar these days. A few weeks ago we added a Danish pastry and I was all over the place. I stopped drinking coffee and went to lemon tea at our monthly old farts coffee morning for the same reason.

[Tiburon in reply to BobD]

Bob — any idea why coffee may cause pre syncope?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Tiburon]

Anything that stimulates the heart can upset the normal rhythm.

[CDreamer in reply to BobD]

I think sugar is the WORST! Sad, as I’m a bit addicted to a good Pastry.

[pusillanimous in reply to CDreamer]

I'm assuming you are not diabetic, so how much sugar causes a problem given that so much is hidden in food. Do you mean that all biscuits, cakes, chocolates, fruit which has a a high fructose content (sweeter than sucrose ) should be avoided? - grapes in particular are very high in fructose, because I feel that some of glasses of water (that's all I drink apart from one cup of decaf coffee in the morning) and a couple of lettuce leaves and a cucumber should be my future diet, as salt is bad, dairy is bad, red meat is bad, carbohydrates are bad , just about anything is bad . Is there an AF diet on the internet somewhere - my cardiologist has not mentioned one, I do not see an EP as, we do not have one locally. I really only know if I am in AF if I take my pulse and it is over 100BPM and I can feel the irregularity- I do not have special equipment , just wrist BP monitors as I have thin arms and upper arm cuffs are difficult to place,

[Auriculaire in reply to pusillanimous]

People worry altogether too much about what they are eating. My rules are if it's industrial limit it as much as possible if not avoid it all together. Grow some fruit and veg organically if you have space. Cook from scratch as much as possible - and from time to time this includes a cake . To my taste ready made food and fast food tastes bad and smells even worse. Cultivate your inner gourmet. Life is too short for asceticism. I am tormented every day by the smell of my husband's coffee but coffee gives me palps so it's probably 5 years since I risked any .

[pusillanimous in reply to Auriculaire]

Everything in moderation has always been mu guideline, But I probably eat too much chocolate !

[Jalia]

As Bob has said, you really shouldn't be driving with pre syncope. I drink fairly weak coffee and definitely not espresso and no effect on AF

[etheral]

Always drank 2 strong cups of black coffee in morning. Guess I'm lucky it never caused any ill effects.

[pottypete1]

I stopped drinking coffee when I stopped drinking alcohol. The caffeine used give me palpitations.

Although tea also contains caffeine I find that I can tolerate it.

Pete

[Tiburon in reply to pottypete1]

Caffeine would also give me palpitations.

[Hidden]

I have a cup of pretty strong, fresh coffee every morning and have no negative effects that I'm aware of. I used to sometimes have a second cup but now I keep it to one, and really enjoy it

I don't think I've ever had syncope though, so maybe that's relevant?

[CDreamer]

I always thought that caffeine was a trigger - and then discovered it actually helped me. I’ve read numerous reports, all conflicting, about whether or not caffeine is a trigger. I also used to experience pre-syncope with AF but I know that was absolutely nothing to do with caffeine but Autonomic Disorder and if you suffer with pre-syncope I suggest you visit the STARS website of the Arrythmia Alliance for more information of causes:-

heartrhythmalliance.org/sta...

My AF is now controlled 99% of the time and as long as I don’t drink freeze-dried coffee I have no problem. Like Etheral I have 1/2 cups of good quality, usually drunk black these days, before noon without experiencing any difficulty.

If, however, you have noted a direct correlation soon after drinking your coffee maybe best avoided? Everyone’s reaction is individual and my belief it depends upon the individual biology, the type and processing of the coffee and the way it is made. I’ve found a high street blend that suits me and I have absolutely no response to so stick with that.

Best wishes CD

[gsd01 in reply to CDreamer]

I can can firm similar experiences with coffee. I gave it up but after a month or so my ECG resting heart rate, measured several times a day (permanent AF) was consistently higher. I resumed the coffee and was a bit surprised that my resting HR, on average, returned to its previous lower level. There are various studies that may support this.

I did used to get dizzy/fainting episodes when I first had paroxysmal AF but that disappeared after a while, may be due to medication (Nebivolol)

[Tiburon in reply to CDreamer]

Hi CD — I’ll take a look at the STARS site. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[Ppiman]

Coffee has been rather conclusively shown not to trigger AF, except in those few people sensitive to caffeine. You must be one. My daughter in law doesn't have AF, but she is sensitive to coffee, Coca-cola, etc.

Steve

[Pinsy]

Unfortunately caffeine does trigger my af - always have decaf now - was given normal coffee but mistake and knew it within 5 mins

[Lewis1234]

Why bother? Have decaf, it tastes the same and it’s all in the mind!

[RoyMacDonald in reply to Lewis1234]

It gives the same benefits of longer life as non decaf coffee as well according to the study I read.All the best.

Roy

[Hidden in reply to Lewis1234]

Just some thoughts on decaf - I doubt that this is definitive but something to consider:

Drawbacks of drinking decaf coffeeHarmful to the heart - Some researchers have found that decaffeinated coffee may have a harmful impact on the heart through increasing the levels of a specific cholesterol in blood. Caffeine-free coffee is often extracted from the Robusta bean, instead of the more popular Arabica bean, due to it’s more intense flavour. However, Robusta beans naturally have a higher fat content than their counterpart.

Lose out on health benefits associated with normal coffee - The decaffeination process makes decaf coffee an ultra-processed food item. Whilst normal coffee goes through a natural process, with decaf coffee, it can be considered as very much the opposite.

Due to the process of decaffeination, and the solvents involved, many of the natural bioactive chemicals that boost your health defenses are lost. Chlorogenic acid is one of these natural bioactive chemicals, designed to activate your immunity and even slow cellular aging.

Risk of dangerous chemicals - The decaffeination process has been found to increase fatty acids that can have an impact on our metabolic syndrome and lead to an increased risk of heart disease. Perhaps even more frighteningly, Methylene Chloride, a solvent often used in the decaffeination of coffee, has been marked as a potential human carcinogen.

[Tiburon in reply to Hidden]

Helen — I was not aware of this … compelling reasons to drink caffeinated if one can tolerate it. Thanks for sharing!

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

I avoid decaf at all costs!

[Lewis1234]

Hi, interesting but I only buy decaf made through the natural water method, no solvents, if so it says on the packet. Taylor’s for example is available in supermarkets.

[porsche]

Listen to your Cardiologist, he knows your heart better than any study doctor. I’ve only drunk decaffeinated coffee for 12 yrs since diagnosis, I soon know if I’m given the wrong coffee, it’s just not worth it.

[Tiburon in reply to porsche]

Agree. Thanks.

[rosyrosie2013]

I make my coffee now with half decaf and half ordinary so tastes good but not too much impact.. Obviously if I am out, I cannot do this and usually have full strength but not more than one..