According to the web site Science Daily, it is not so much a question of whether or not caffeine benefits the heart, but more a question of how much is too much.
According to Science Daily, although current guidelines of the American Heart Association caution against drinking coffee on a regular basis, some studies indicate otherwise. For example, research completed by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre indicates a potential benefit at the level of approximately 16 ounces of coffee a day, or two eight ounce cups a day. The study goes on to state that at these levels there is an 11 per cent lower incidence of heart failure. It remains unclear why moderate coffee consumption has this effect on people with potential heart disease. Some researchers have postulated that since coffee is known to prevent the development of Type Two Diabetes, this may also lower the risk of heart disease.
The study in question was based on information gathered from five previous studies; four of which were conducted in Sweden, one in Finland. The data came from a total of 140,220 participants and included a total of 6,522 people who had experienced heart failure.
Paradoxically, the study found that while light coffee drinking tended to raise blood pressure levels (a known risk factor for heart disease), moderate coffee drinking may provide protection against it. This is because (it is believed) people tend to to develop a tolerance and may even be protected from high blood pressure as well.
The results of this study were borne out by the results of a previous study also reported by Science Daily. This study was conducted in 2010 and published in the Journal of American Heart Association. This study found that moderate to high levels of coffee drinking led to a lower rate of death from heart disease. Researchers theorize that the benefits may be explained by the fact that coffee is known to contain a high level of antioxidants.
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