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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol for Stroke Onset Time Estimation in Permanent Cerebral Ischemia
Published on: September 16, 2017
Coffee and acute ischemic stroke onset: the Stroke Onset Study.
E Mostofsky1, G Schlaug, K J Mukamal
1Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 375 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Drinking coffee transiently doubles the risk of ischemic stroke, especially for infrequent coffee drinkers. This risk is specific to coffee and not seen with tea or cola.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Prior research indicates coffee intake elevates risks for myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death.
- The association between coffee consumption and ischemic stroke risk remains under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that caffeine intake is associated with a transiently increased risk of ischemic stroke.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter case-crossover study involving 390 participants (209 men, 181 women) interviewed a median of 3 days post-stroke.
- Compared coffee consumption in the hour preceding stroke symptoms to the individual's usual annual consumption frequency.
Main Results:
- Coffee consumption within one hour of stroke onset showed a 2.0-fold increased risk (95% CI, 1.4-2.8).
- No increased risk was observed for caffeinated tea (RR=0.9) or cola (RR=1.0).
- The elevated stroke risk was significant for infrequent drinkers (≤1 cup/day) but not for regular consumers, indicating a trend (p=0.002).
Conclusions:
- Coffee consumption transiently elevates the risk of ischemic stroke onset.
- This increased risk is particularly notable among individuals who drink coffee infrequently.
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Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction
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