to filter coffee or not too filter coffee with intermittent AF

[09Bumblebee]

I have recently had an intermittent episode of AF requiring cardioversion so still feeling a little stunned by the diagnosis. I love filter coffee and have recently gone onto decaf coffee. Just wondering what the evidence is for giving up normal filter coffee or is it ok to still drink one or two cups a day?

[BobD Volunteer]

Personal experience only but a medium latte gives me the shakes for hours. I only drink decaf tea these days. Gave my Gancia machine away about five years ago!

[javo123j]

I've cut back on my coffee but has made no difference. I can drink coffee all day and have no episodes. I wish I knew what caused my afib. It could be a mix of coffee alcohol football food and life.

[09Bumblebee in reply to javo123j]

Likewise although I’ve only had a few episodes of AF the last one which took me to A& E was after drinking gin & tonic. So quinine in the tonic water possibly?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to 09Bumblebee]

yes quinine will do it.

[CDreamer in reply to 09Bumblebee]

Quinine is a trigger for sure!

[Pedroboy in reply to 09Bumblebee]

My af seems to be episodic. Specialist said to wait up to 10 hours and if it hasn't stopped by then, go to A&E.By episodic I mean: you've got it and then you're back to normal. Blink and you've missed it. Could occur any time up to 10 or so hours, apparently.

[09Bumblebee in reply to Pedroboy]

My A& E Consultant recommended that you never leave it too long if your in intermittent AF(asI am) ie before 24 hrs if your not on anticoagulants as they are unable to do cardioversion due to risk of a stroke. Are you on anticoagulants?

[Pedroboy in reply to 09Bumblebee]

Yes I am. 20mg /day xarelto (Riveroxaban). So I suppose waiting 12 hours is OK?

[09Bumblebee]

Blow oh well I’d rather give up tonic water than have another episode of AF it was very frightening. Now what else can I add to gin. 😃

[CDreamer in reply to 09Bumblebee]

I couldn’t (still cannot) take any hard spirits - beer is ok and occasional white wine diluted with soda. Alcohol is best avoided, period for me.

[andyk0001 in reply to 09Bumblebee]

Elderflower cordial. We called it 'Gin Loch Ewe'. We had run out of tonic there one holiday.

[Pedroboy in reply to 09Bumblebee]

Would soda water work?

[RG72 in reply to Pedroboy]

I had my first alcohol (beer) for 11 months last night. No ill effects so far, in fact palps have reduced this morning over normal. However, I don’t think I’ll ever drink coffee again and will even avoid decaf since major episodes I have never felt the need for coffee again.

[09Bumblebee in reply to Pedroboy]

Might give that a try. Thanks

[joolzj in reply to 09Bumblebee]

Alcohol is such a common trigger for an AF episode. I would guess that alcohol is more of a trigger than quinine but certainly a crucial consideration seems to be the combination of triggers. Drinking alcohol occasionally may well be combined with dehydration, social 'excitement' (read stress), heavy food, eating late, going to bed later than normal.

[Pedroboy in reply to 09Bumblebee]

You could try your cordial of choice. Gin & lime, Gin & ginger beer, Gin & orange, Gin & Rasberry...

[Pedroboy in reply to Pedroboy]

I've begun to drink a new hot beverage. My choice of cordial with hot water. It definitely tastes better than decaffeinated. Coffee.

[foxglove1]

I drink three cups of illy ground coffee every day with no problems at all. and not decaf. I can also have a couple of glasses of red wine but everyone is different.

[09Bumblebee in reply to foxglove1]

I suppose it’s about finding out what the triggers are. I can drink red wine and white spritzer however I have put a cap on the amount and frequency I drink just in case. I’ll go back to ‘proper’ coffee once I’ve used rather decaf coffee I’ve bought. I for your help.

[CDreamer]

I avoid filter coffee & decaf - it’s a double Americano for me. I looked into this when I first developed AF and there is conflicting evidence as to the affect of caffeine on AF.

A nutritionist I consulted was also an expert on coffee and her advice - stick to good quality, coffee made through pressure & avoid any coffee makers that stew the coffee such as filter or cafeteria and especially dried coffee.

Having said that everyone reacts very differently so you will soon know if it will be a problem for you but if you are going to drink coffee I can’t see the point of decaf. 🤷‍♂️

[cardinal177 in reply to CDreamer]

Hi just saw your post, and looking for coffee advice for my husband: what do you mean by..good quality coffee made through pressure? Thanks

[CDreamer in reply to cardinal177]

Preferably organic, fresh roasted beans, freshly ground, barista style - type in good coffee shops, instantly brewed by pressurised water through the grinds.

At home I use a Nessprsso type machine with the pods - took me a while to find my favourite brand which, surprisingly, turned out to be Starbucks house blend. 🤷‍♂️

Gives the most benefits of coffee (antioxidants etc) without the caffeine brewing in liquid. There are so many Coffee Officianados around who can help.

[cardinal177 in reply to CDreamer]

Oh thanks! Husband is about to get a pacemaker tomorrow and he is basically addicted to strong coffee! So will maybe stick to nes press. O. Yep I like the Starbucks house blend myself

[Pedroboy in reply to cardinal177]

I think they mean coffee like you get made by a barista. The boiling water is forced through the ground coffee by force.

[cardinal177 in reply to Pedroboy]

Ok thanks

[CyclistMark]

I have three normal coffees a day, two Percol freeze dried and one strength 5 coffee beans Java Sumatra from a beans to cup coffee machine. They’re spaced out, freeze dried at breakfast and early evening and machine coffee from beans lunch time. I’ve had no issues whatsoever

[Hidden]

I thoroughly enjoy my one morning instant coffee with caffeine in the morning with breakfast, then after that one decaf coffee with lunch and one decaf Green tea on afternoon.

[Alphakiwi]

Everything in moderation. Try and see.

[Maggimunro]

Hi there, it seems the response to coffee is very individual. I have 3 cups of bean to cup coffee every day with absolutely no effect whatsoever on my heart. I might get a mild hot flush for a minute or two but that’s it. This is the same for me with alcohol, not that I drink much anyway, just socially and then very little.

However, some people need only look at a coffee bean and off they go, bump, bump bumpbump,

[Desanthony]

I’ve went onto decaf tea and coffee because of bladder problems long before AFib was diagnosed so knew it was not a trigger for my AFib. You can buy decaffeinate coffee for filters and coffee machines and that’s what I use - you can even buy decaffeinate beans for use in bean to cup machines. We find lavazza decaffeinated for machines - beans as well as ground coffee to be the best tasting - in pods which we take to a friend’s house we have found Starbucks decaffeinated pods to be the best tasting - but we like strong coffee. As I’m from Yorkshire it has to be Yorkshire decaffeinated tea. All available in the super market.

[Pedroboy in reply to Desanthony]

Beware of anything that makes you light-headed or fizzy. This is an indicator of a racing heart which may include af. Check your pulse. If it's missing beats.... I wonder if having a couple of glasses of normal water would be a 'cure'.

[Ppiman]

A very large study, peer reviewed as I recall, made clear that, unless you have caffeine sensitivity, which is rare, coffee is not a trigger for AF.

Drinking liquids can be a trigger, any liquids; as can eating food. But this is a physical, not pharmacological effect.

These might be useful:

ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Steve

[09Bumblebee in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you I have always drunk x4 cups coffee in the morning only (none after 2pm) and have never had any AF symptoms so will ditch decaf soon and resume normal coffee but in a reduced amount.

[Ppiman in reply to 09Bumblebee]

I have no trouble at all with coffee and enjoy it. I think a lot of people discount the physical effects of the stomach and intestines pressing against the heart and setting off ectopic beats, thence to AF, and, instead, blame what is in the food or drink. Physical effects are very much more likely to affect the heart, I feel sure (even bending or stretching, in my case).

Steve

[Bluetonic]

I have no problems with drinking a cup of espresso every morning.Likewise alcohol in moderation ( a couple of units now and again) has no effect.

I can't eat Chinese food though because of its msg content.

Recently I had a rough night with palpitations although not af after eating a packet of Doritos, turns out that the spicy ones have msg. Live and learn, and it was a reminder to check what I am eating!

[09Bumblebee in reply to Bluetonic]

That’s a really good suggestion as I did have a very short episode of palpitations following an over consumption of blue cheese one night so that could possibly be a trigger for me. Umm.

[Peacefulneedshelp in reply to Bluetonic]

I too have AF and sensitive to MSG what I didn’t know and found out is that wheat is the same chemical makeup as MSG except 1 is left handed 1 is right handed but the body can’t tell the difference. Once I gave up wheat it was really an eye opener for me. All inflammation gone. I also have found anything that is a chemical like “natural flavorings” will trigger AF. I watch closely what I eat and how much. having a hiatal hernia doesn’t help either.

[localad]

Soon discovered coffee would trigger a couple of palpitations after my successful ablations. Switched to decaff .....no palps ! I also filter the decaff through paper to help remove those cholesterol raising coffee oils. Ideally I should stop even decaff......I'm working on it.

[Pedroboy in reply to localad]

Good on you.

[Pedroboy in reply to Pedroboy]

I've started drinking hot cups of low calorie cordial. Use a cordial you like and use hot/boiling water to dilute.

[BrotherThomas]

Most of the time I drink decaff tea and coffee. However, I have several cups of caffeinated filter coffee over the weekend with no problems. I also drink caffeinated coffee if we're out and about and call into a café or coffee house, also with no ill effects.

I started drinking decaff shortly after diagnosis following the advice on this forum and developed a taste for it over the caffeinated kind. However, my experience is that caffeine isn't a trigger for me but I still keep consumption down. If you want a very good instant decaff, I can heartily recommend that you try the Kenco Decaf.

[andyk0001]

My wife has given up caffeinated coffee and alcohol and has had no afib episodes for many months. Anecdotal evidence only but why not eliminate suspect triggers if one can.

[Pedroboy]

I gave up coffee, and only use decaf, which most Coffee Shops serve, but you don't get any 'kick'. I also ave up licorice, but occasionally still have.If you want your decaf coffee to have some sort of taste other than warm milk, try an addition of a syrup which in some outlets may be sugar-free (Gloria Jean).

[Ducky2003]

Caffeine wasn't a trigger for me as I already drank decaff at home when the AF started.Would have normal coffee when out and about without issue.

However since the AF started, I have to watch the Costa baristas like a hawk as on the couple of occasions they mistakenly gave me normal coffee, my heart was thumping like a jackhammer within 20 mins.

Case in point, on Friday I ordered a skinny decaff iced latte and the girl passed the ticket to the barista. After she read the ticket I then watched her make a hot normal latte with semi skimmed milk, which I assumed was for someone else until she plonked it in front of me!

I suggested she may want to read the ticket again 🙄.

[Mainman]

I only drink Kenco instant decaf - AF free for about 3 years now, but do miss the kick from real coffee!

[FancyPants54]

I switched to decaf filter coffee when I developed AF years ago and have stuck to it. You can get some very nice tasting decaf filter now.

[Sacstate]

I (76 year old man) have zero problem with drinking a couple of cups of regular coffee in the morning and sometimes a cup or two during the day. Lots of mention of alcohol in this string of comments. To each his own, of course, but since my diagnosis of paroxysmal AFib about 9 months ago, I have completely stopped alcohol and dramatically increased my vigorous daily exercising. Previously, I was a more sedentary, two-fisted beer drinker and thought that I loved it. Since quitting beer and increasing daily exercising, though, I have enjoyed the serendipitous consequence of feeling healthier, stronger, and better than I have in decades.

[waveylines]

I drink decaff coffee and tea. There are a fair few options out to choose from. I love filtered coffee so buy Taylors decaf. Lovely. In fairness I've drank decaf coffee for years as caffeinated keeps me awake at night. I dont know if it affects my afib tbh. Mine is very intermittent & currently mild so dont notice it accept sometimes at night. My main issue is a fast heartbeat so thats what made me decide logically that I should avoid all caffeinated drinks including the fizzy type. I think kts trial and error. You may find you can get away with the odd caffeinated drink or if your very luck dont have to exclude it.

My alchohol I do keep low...the odd glass of wine or cider. That does make a difference....doesnt sit well with b12 deficiency either so my body was clearly telling me to give it up!! 🤣

[Afibflipper]

I’ve given up caffiene, alcohol & have low salt as found they all trigger AF in me (also found following coffees I’d get migraine or really bad headaches (I now drink decaf cafe au lait for the dolce gusto machine

[pd63]

Filter coffee doesn't cause any afib with me but I have to drink it sitting on the toilet best laxative ever

[minidoxie]

of course everyone is different and you should always check with your doctor, but recently a number of studies have come out saying coffee with caffeine is OK. so I started going back to coffee and make a pot with 2/3 decaf and 1/3 caffeinated (just to be on the safe side). so far so good.......

I also eat about 3 small squares of dark chocolate every night & so far so good......

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

HiI read 1 a day fine.

cheri JOY. 73. (NZ)