The use of 4 cups of coffee a day or 10 servings of alcoholic beverages per week may increase the risk of arrhythmia, experts say..

Simultaneously, the results of two studies were presented at the congress of the European Community of Cardiology, held in Barcelona. The researchers found that the use of alcohol and caffeine affects the risk of a condition characterized by an abnormal rhythm of the heart, known in medicine as "ciliary arrhythmia".

The diagnosis of arrhythmia puts 46 thousand British every year. The presence of such a disease significantly increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiac problems. A study on alcohol conducted among 8,830 men and women in Britain, Scandinavia and the United States showed that those who drank the equivalent of ten portions of alcohol were 80% more likely to develop atrial fibrillation than others.

The age of the patients was approximately 67 years. Earlier, the participants of the study had already undergone treatment in connection with high blood pressure, but by the time the study began they showed no signs of atrial fibrillation. During the period of 4.8 years, patients were closely watched by physicians. During this time, 5.7% of patients who reported that they drank more than 10 servings of alcohol per week, atrial fibrillation was diagnosed. Those who did not drink or drink so much at all, this disease was diagnosed only in 3.9% of cases.

Scientists suggest that 10 servings of alcohol per week should be considered as a trait, followed by an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation. In a second study, conducted by scientists from the University of Modena, Italy, it was found that consuming more than 4 cups of coffee per day increases the risk of arrhythmia in people healthy in terms of cardiology. And, even if they otherwise adhere to a healthy diet and proper diet.

Medicinform. Net.