CYP1A2 Caffeine-Processing Gene and Heart Attacks

Coffee is at the top of my grocery list. I’m down to my last teaspoon of instant coffee, which is my everyday morning drink just like more than half of American adults (although I’m guessing not so many can tolerate instant). The latest JAMA study has a warning for any of us coffee drinkers who carry a particular mutation in the CYP1A2 gene: we could face a higher risk of heart attack.

Caffeine causes blood vessels to constrict, which can trigger an increase in blood pressure. The longer caffeine remains the blood stream, the greater potential for harm,

Carriers of the mutation in the CYP1A2 gene (one in two urban dwellers) have:

• a 36% increased risk of a first heart attack if they drink two to three cups of coffee daily.
• a 64% higher risk if they drink four or more cups of coffee a day.
• a higher risk if they’re female.
• a higher risk if they’re younger.

On the other hand, people with the normal version of the CYP1A2 gene have a 22% lower risk of first heart attack if they drink up to three cups of coffee daily. Antioxidants and other beneficial chemicals confer this protective effect.

Fortunately for me (and I’m being pessimistic in thinking I might have the mutated version of the CYP1A2 gene), a single cup of coffee a day doesn’t appear to increase the risk of heart attack. It’s the average coffee drinker drinking three cups a day who should watch out.

LA Times, March 7, 2006

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