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A cup of Coffee May Increase Your Heart Attack Risk

New Study Suggests That Cup O' Jo May Increase Your Heart Attack Risk

A new medical study recently revealed that for some, drinking two or more cups of coffee every day may increase their risk of heart disease. The study of 4,000 coffee drinkers suggests that individuals with a genetic mutation slowing the breakdown and digestion of coffee in the body are most at risk.

How do you know if you possess this mutation? The study reveals that roughly half the population living in large urban areas may have the mutation. Interestingly, those without the genetic mutation may drink coffee to their harts content with little increased risk of heart attacks.

Does that mean you should rush out and get tested? Unfortunately at this time there simply isn't a means of testing for the genetic mutation among the population at large. There are also no key signs of symptoms that may help you decide whether you are at risk.

This study, provided by researchers from the University of Toronto, Costa Rica and Harvard's School of Public Heath may explain unclear results released from previous studies regarding the coffee and heart connection.

A Woman's Individual Health Plan
As with anything, this study simply points that there is simply not a single plan with regard to your health that will work for everyone. Not everyone that drinks coffee is at increased risk for developing a heart attack. Of those at increased risk for a heart attack, not everyone will succumb. The study is alarming however, as it suggests that those with the genetic mutation may increase their risk of heart disease by as much as 32 percent by drinking two to three cups of coffee each day.

The good news is one cup of coffee will not increase risk even among women with the genetic mutation. Your best bet? If concerned about a mutation, limit you intake of coffee to just one cup of Joe each day.

Fortunately if you can't adopt a one a day habit, there are other steps you can take to decrease your risk of heart disease.

Many factors typically contribute to one's risk for developing a heart attack. These include your weight, overall health, blood pressure and lifestyle habits including alcohol consumption, stress and whether you smoke. Caffeine is a stimulant to the body. Combine that with a poor diet, inadequate sleep and high stress levels and anyone's risk of a heart attack is likely to increase significantly.

Overall if you lead a healthy life that incorporates a well balanced diet, stress reduction measures, plenty of exercise and sleep, you are taking proactive and helpful steps to help reduce your risk of heart disease.

This study reveals that while the risk of a heart attack does increase with coffee consumption, generally that risk is still small, ranging between two and five percent. This suggests that leading a good, healthy lifestyle may improve your odds of living a life that is heart attack free.

If you have concurring risk factors, your best bet may be a visit to your health care provider. Together you may weigh the pros and cons of giving up that second or third cup of Jo compared with your risk.