RPTH: One to Two Cups of Coffee a Day Linked to a 51% Lower Risk of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism

The researchers analyzed data from 2,071 people who had experienced a first episode of venous thromboembolism, a condition that includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. During the follow-up period, which had a median duration of 2.8 years, 310 participants experienced a recurrence.

People who drank one to two cups of coffee a day had an estimated 51% lower risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism than those who did not drink coffee. The association persisted after the researchers adjusted for additional factors, including smoking, body mass index, and cardiovascular disease. Among patients whose first episode had been triggered by specific circumstances, the estimated reduction in risk reached 67%.

However, among people whose venous thromboembolism had occurred without an identifiable trigger, no statistically significant association was found between coffee consumption and recurrence. In addition, drinking more coffee was not associated with a consistent further reduction in risk.

The researchers emphasize that the study identified a statistical association but did not prove that coffee protects against recurrent blood clots. The study had several limitations, including the small number of participants who did not drink coffee and incomplete data on the duration of anticoagulant treatment. Further research is needed to confirm the findings.