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Energy drinks may pose risks for people with high blood pressure, heart disease

November 21st, 2007 | by David Reiner, M.D. |

                          

Downing an “energy drink” may boost blood pressure as well as energy.  This was the conclusion of researchers who performed a small study on healthy volunteers that was presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2007.   In the study, conducted by Wayne State University researchers, blood pressure and heart rate levels increased in healthy adults who drank two cans a day of a popular energy drink.  Although this increase in blood pressure was only modest in these healthy volunteers, this increase could potentially be significant in patients with heart disease or hypertension, particularly while performing vigorous exercise.

 Most energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and taurine, an amino acid also found in protein-containing foods such as meats and fish.  Both of these substances have effects on blood pressure and heart function in some studies.  In contrast, “sports drinks” such as Gatorade have various combinations of water, carbohydrates and salts, but do not contain the caffeine and taurine that is added to “energy drinks.”  Until further research is done, people with heart disease or hypertension should not routinely being using these products.

Reference: American Heart Associations Scientific Sessions November 6, 2007

Tags: caffeine, energy drink, heart disease, hypertension