I can begin to discuss the impact of caffeine consumption in the recovery phase post-heart surgery. Original Limits: Most doctors listen to your heart in coffee and other caffeinated beverages immediately after cardiac procedures. This is because caffeine has the potential to act on the central nervous system and stimulate the heart rate, with possible increases in blood pressure, all of which are unwanted during early recovery15.
Long-term: Most patients are advised to abstain from caffeine immediately post-op but are able to slowly add it back in. One should note from studies of these heart abnormal rhythms that caffeine will only help to trigger a severe cardiac event in many, but not all healthy hearts and likely not normal undamaged hearts without pre-existing disease24. Nonetheless, caffeine may not be the supplement to everyone as high doses is recommended in patients with seizure and arrhythmia has been documented in some individuals1.
Inter-Patient Variation: The influence of caffeine can be quite different among patients. Your current state of health, allergies or adverse reactions to caffeine, and levels of tolerance all play a large role in how you will respond to your cup-o-gusto. For example, caffeine consumption may pose greater risks in patients with severe hypertension but be safe at moderate intake levels for others36.
So, bottom line, when is it safe to have caffeine after heart surgery — typically there’s a push to avoid caffeine right after surgery because of how it stimulates your newly repaired heart, but for most people you can start drinking caffeine again in moderation when still at the hospital or soon as you begin feeling better. Speak with physicians about better nutritional recommendations after surgery.
