Wednesday, March 27, 2013

ENERGY DRINKS AND HEART RISK

Energy drinks may raise blood pressure and prolong QT interval(in the ECG) increasing the risk of sudden cardiac death.

In a meta-analysis by Sachin A. Shah at University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif, with a pooled analysis of 93 people who consumed energy drinks, the QT interval on an ECG was significantly prolonged by 10 ms. The threshold level of regulatory concern is around 5 ms.


In another pooled analysis of 132 people by the same group, researchers found a significant increase in systolic blood pressure by 3.5 mmHg that was associated with the consumption of energy drinks.


Doctors are generally concerned if patients experience an additional 30 ms in their QT interval from baseline. QT prolongation is associated with life-threatening arrhythmias.


That energy drinks can prolong the QT and lead to sudden cardiac death, warrants further investigation.


Half of the energy drinks on the market are consumed by adolescents and young adults.


Most energy drinks have caffeine. Drinks such as Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar, Full Throttle, and AMP have three times the amount of caffeine as colas. A 16-oz. can of Monster Energy, for example, contains 160 mg of caffeine, which is almost as much as five cans of soda.

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