Increased Blood Pressure Possibly Linked to Energy Drinks

NEW ORLEANSEnergy drinks may disturb the heart's natural rhythm and increase blood pressure, reflecting further circumstantial evidence that the caffeine-laden beverages pose health risks to consumers, according to research presented at a conference held by the American Heart Association.

Researchers who analyzed previously published studies found the top number in a blood pressure reading grew an average of 3.5 points for those participants who had consumed energy drinks.

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," Sachin A. Shah, Pharm.D., lead author and assistant professor at University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., said in a statement. Patients with high blood pressures or long QT syndrome should use caution and judgment before consuming an energy drink."

In the first part of a pooled analysis, the researchers found a "QT interval" was 10 milliseconds longer for individuals who just consumed energy drinks. The QT interval describes a segment of the heart's rhythm on an electrocardiogram. This interval, when prolonged, can cause sudden death or serious irregular heartbeats, according to the researchers.

QT prolongation is associated with life-threatening arrhythmias. The finding that energy drinks could prolong the QT, in light of the reports of sudden cardiac death, warrants further investigation," said Ian Riddock, M.D., a co-author and director of preventive cardiology at the David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, California.

The research was presented at the American Heart Associations Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2013 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans.

The findings were disclosed two days after a group of medical experts expressed doubts that energy drinks are safe for young people. In a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D., the medical professionals concluded there "is no general consensus among qualified experts" that caffeine content in energy drinks is safe for adolescents and children. In the March 19 letter, the medical experts cited reports of fatalities possibly connected to energy-drink consumption and submitted to FDA through its Adverse Event Reporting System.