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Energy drinks associated with elevated QTc interval, systolic blood pressure
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Electrical activity in the heart and systolic BP were significantly elevated in those who regularly consume 32 oz of commercially available energy drinks vs. standard caffeine consumption, findings published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggest.
“We decided to study energy drinks’ potential heart health impact because previous research has shown 75% of the base’s military personnel have consumed an energy drink,” Emily A. Fletcher, PharmD, deputy pharmacy flight commander from David Grant USAF Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in California, said in a press release. “Nearly 15% of military personnel, in general, drink three cans a day when deployed.”
Researchers conducted a randomized, double blind, caffeine-controlled crossover study consisting of 18 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 40 years, who were randomly assigned either a one-time dose of a 32-oz energy drink (108 g sugar, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, and a proprietary blend of taurine, panax ginseng extract, l-carnitine, 320 mg caffeine, glucuronolactone, inositol, guarana extract and maltodextrin) or a 32-oz control drink consisting of 320 mg caffeine, 40 mL lime juice and 140 mL cherry syrup in carbonated water. Each participant consumed both drinks, with a 6-day washout period in between.
At baseline, as well as 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24 hours after consumption, ECG, peripheral BP and central BP measurements were obtained from all participants.
The primary endpoint was corrected QT interval (QTc). Secondary endpoints included uncorrected QT interval, PR interval, QRS duration, peripheral systolic and diastolic BP, central systolic and diastolic BP and augmentation index.
There was a higher change in QTc interval from baseline in the energy drink arm vs. the caffeine arm at 2 hours (energy drink, 0.44 ± 18.4 ms; control, –10 ± 14.8 ms; P = .02). These changes did not vary at any other time point.
The energy drink and control drink were associated with similar peripheral systolic BP at 1, 2 and 4 hours. However, the energy drink was associated with a higher rate of peripheral systolic BP at 6 hours compared with the control drink (4.72 ± 4.67 mm Hg vs. 0.83 ± 6.09 mm Hg; P = .01).
The energy drink was also associated with decreased baseline-adjusted augmentation index at 6 hours (–3.72 vs. 1.5; P = .02).
At no point was there a difference between groups in uncorrected QT interval, PR interval, QRS duration, heart rate, diastolic BP, central systolic BP or central diastolic BP.
“Our findings are concerning since caffeine likely does not affect the QTc interval based on previous studies,” Fletcher and colleagues wrote. “Further investigation of other energy drink constituents is necessary.” – by Dave Quaile
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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