We have previously demonstrated that STAT‐1 plays a critical role in promoting apoptotic cell death in cardiac myocytes following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), the major constituent of green tea, has recently been reported to inhibit STAT‐1 activity in noncardiac cells. In the present study, we have assessed the protective effects of EGCG and green tea extract (GTE) infusion on both cultures of cardiac myocytes and the isolated rat heart. EGCG reduced STAT‐1 phosphorylation and protected cardiac myocytes against I/R‐induced apoptotic cell death. Moreover, EGCG reduced the expression of a known STAT‐1 pro‐apoptotic target gene, Fas receptor. More interestingly, oral administration of GTE as well as EGCG infusion limited the extent of infarct size and attenuated the magnitude of myocyte apoptosis in the isolated rat heart exposed to I/R injury. This reduction cell death was associated with improved hemodynamic recovery and ventricular function in the ischemic/reperfused rat heart. This is the first report to show that consumption of green tea is able to mediate cardioprotection and enhance cardiac function during I/R injury. Because GTE‐mediated cardioprotection is achieved, at least in part, through inhibition of STAT‐1 activity, we may postulate that a similar action can be implemented in the clinical setting to minimize STAT‐1 activation levels in patients with acute coronary artery disease (CAD).