Tea Prevents Ventricular Arrhythmias post AMI

Moderate Tea Consumption Linked to Lower Prevalence of Ventricular Arrhythmias among Patients Hospitalized for Acute Myocardial Infarction

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS, ISCHEMIA - Tea, Coffee, Diet, Caffeine, Polyphenols, Antioxidants, Catechins

"Tea consumption and infarct-related ventricular arrhythmias: the determinants of myocardial infarction onset study," Mukamal KJ, Alert M, et al, Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2006; 25(6): 472-79. (Address: Kenneth J. Mukamal, MD, MPH, MA, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Division of General Medicine and Primary Care Research Program, 1309 Beacon Street, 2nd floor, Brookline, MA 02446, USA. E-mail: kmukamal@bidmc.harvard.edu ).

In a study involving subjects with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), moderate tea consumption was found to be associated with a lower prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction, as compared to non-tea drinkers and heavy tea drinkers. The tea and coffee consumption of subjects in the one year prior to infarction was assessed via questionnaire. The study involved 2 phases. 1,912 patients were involved in the first phase. In this group of patients, moderate consumption of tea (less than 14 cups per week) was found to be associated with an 11% prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias, compared to 16% among tea abstainers and 14% among heavy tea drinkers (14 or more cups per week). The second phase of the study involved 1,791 patients. Among this group, an 8% prevalence was found among moderate tea drinkers and heavy tea drinkers, compared to 11% prevalence found among tea abstainers. The adjusted odds ratios for ventricular arrhythmia when data from both groups was combined were 0.7 among moderate drinkers and 0.9 among heavy tea drinkers. A similar trend was found for odds of ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. While tea consumption appeared to have a protective effect, coffee consumption (> 14 cups/week) on the other hand was associated with an increased odds ratio of ventricular arrhythmia (1.3). The authors conclude, "This study provides a different dimension to the proposed cardioprotective effects of tea consumption, which include a lower risk of mortality following AMI. If confirmed, our results suggest that catechins and perhaps other polyphenolic antioxidants could play a role in preventing arrhythmic complications of AMI." Source: Vitagram.com