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Heavy energy drink consumption linked to CV events in adolescents
The rapid increase in energy drink consumption by adolescents and young adults may have implications for cardiac health.
It is estimated that 31% of adolescents now report regular consumption of energy drinks, Fabian Sanchis-Gomar, MD, PhD, from the Research Institute of Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid, and colleagues wrote in a viewpoint article published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Although caffeine is generally considered safe for consumption, higher doses can result in serious adverse events, particularly in children, adolescents and young adults with conditions, including arrhythmias or other cardiac events. Among 5,448 caffeine overdoses reported in the United States in 2007, 46% occurred in patients younger than 17 years, they wrote.
Heavy consumption of energy drinks has been linked to CV issues that are typically uncommon in healthy young people, including arrhythmias, QT prolongation and ST segment elevation. Sanchis-Gomar and colleagues cited evidence from prior studies indicating increased systolic and diastolic BP, heart rate and cardiac output upon consumption of caffeinated energy shots. Energy drink intake also has been linked to decreased endothelial function and increased platelet aggregation in healthy young adults, supporting a possible link between energy drink consumption and cardiac events such as MI and sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, they wrote.
A single, 250-mL energy drink is safe for most healthy adolescents, according to the authors. However, they recommended that consumption before or during athletic activity should be avoided, and any consumption of energy drinks among adolescents with clinically relevant medical conditions should be discussed with a cardiologist.
Given the continued and increasing popularity of energy drinks, Sanchis-Gomar and colleagues also recommended that clinicians ask their adolescent patients whether they consume these beverages and inform them of the potential dangers of overconsumption, both alone and combined with alcohol. Parents and educators should also be informed of the possible arrhythmogenic and anxiogenic effects of energy drinks, as well as the severe events that could result from overconsumption.
“Although the same or higher amounts of caffeine can be obtained through consumption of coffee alone, prudent health care should take into account that energy drinks are currently fashionable among children and adolescents, and additional fortifying ingredients may exacerbate the risk,” they concluded. “This challenge is evidenced by the number of individuals, specifically teenagers, receiving emergency treatment because of energy drink overconsumption over the past few years.” – by Adam Taliercio
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.