Moderate caffeine typically gets the green light for people without heart conditions, but it’s not as clear-cut if you have HCM.
“Caffeine in small quantities is often safe, but use should be made in consultation with a cardiologist,” says Dr. Peterman.
Large studies looking at caffeine’s effects on HCM are limited. That said, it’s known that hearts that are impacted by HCM become strained when they’re forced to beat faster.
“In HCM, the heart muscle is already prone to excessive contraction and abnormal relaxation,” Dr. Shah says. “Overstimulation, whether from caffeine, stress, or illness, can amplify those abnormalities.” Stimulants like caffeine can also increase the risk for arrhythmias, which is something people with HCM are already at risk for.
There might be additional concerns depending on the type of HCM you have. Peterman says coffee consumption is higher risk in those with obstructive HCM than in those who have nonobstructive HCM, and not necessarily because of the caffeine.
“Some HCM patients have obstruction to the outflow of the heart from overly thick heart muscle and higher heart rates; and high blood pressure as well as dehydration [from caffeine, particularly if you’re not a regular coffee drinker] can worsen this effect,” says Peterman.
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