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Caffeine has a number of neurohumoral effects that might be expected to influence cardiac function. Nevertheless, the physiologic consequences of caffeine intake in patients with angina have not been well studied.
These investigators performed exercise treadmill testing and exercise echocardiography in 13 patients with stable angina at baseline, after ingestion of a placebo beverage, and after ingestion of caffeine (in a dose equivalent to three cups of coffee). Patients were allowed to continue their usual antianginal medications, which included beta blockers, nitrates, and calcium-channel blockers. Caffeine did not significantly affect exercise duration, time to onset of angina, or the timing of ST-segment abnormalities during exercise. Mo…