A report presented at an American Heart Association conference on cardiovascular disease found that coffee drinkers are less likely to be hospitalized for heart rhythm disturbances.

Performed by researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in Oakland, the study concludes that individuals who consume four or more cups of coffee a day are 18% less likely to be hospitalized for heart rhythm disturbances compared to those individuals who don’t. Men and women who reported drinking one to three cups of coffee per day saw a 7% reduction in risk.

"Coffee drinking is related to lower risk of hospitalization for rhythm problems," said Arthur Klatsky, the principle investigator. He did note that the relationship does not necessarily imply causality.

The study was based on a long-term review of over 130,000 people aged 18 to 90. The results were consistent for both men and women and across ethnic and age groups.