“For years, doctors have said to patients with symptoms of heart palpitations that they should avoid caffeinated coffee because it could worsen them,” says Dr Neil Srinivasan, a consultant cardiologist specialising in heart rhythms.
A new study, published in March, probes that orthodoxy. One hundred healthy volunteers were fitted with a wearable monitor to continuously record their heart rhythm, plus a Fitbit to track their daily steps and sleep patterns, and a blood sugar monitor. Next, they were sent daily text messages instructing them to drink or avoid caffeinated coffee on specific days across a fortnight.
