Energy Drinks Cause Increased Blood Pressure and Disturbed Heart Rhythm

Energy drinks are everywhere, making them easily accessible to everyone. The latest finding suggests that energy drinks may increase blood pressure and also disturb the heart's natural rhythm, according to a news release.

In order to determine the link between energy drink consumption and its impact on the heart, researchers analyzed the data from seven previously published observational interventional studies.

Initially the researchers analyzed the QT interval of 93 people who had just consumed one to three cans of energy drinks. They noticed the QT interval was 10 milliseconds more in those who consumed energy drinks.

When the QT interval in an electrocardiogram prolongs, it can trigger serious irregular health beats or even sudden cardiac death.

According to Sachin A. Shah, Pharm.D., lead author and assistant professor at University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., doctors are worried if the person had an additional 30 milliseconds in their QT interval from baseline.

According to Ian Riddock, M.D., a co-author and director of preventive cardiology at the David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., QT prolongation is linked to life-threatening arrhythmias.

The researcher also noticed a 3.5 points hike in the systolic blood pressure in the 132 people participating in the trial. The study was conducted on healthy, young patients belonging to the age group of 18-45 years.

"The correlation between energy drinks and increased systolic blood pressure is convincing and concerning, and more studies are needed to assess the impact on the heart rhythm," Shah said. "Patients with high blood pressures or long QT syndrome should use caution and judgment before consuming an energy drink."

He continues to state that due to the presence of caffeine in energy drinks, those who do not normally consume caffeine might have an increase in blood pressure.

The study was presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2013 Scientific Sessions.