Man Suffers Stroke from Energy Drink Consumption
A 54-year-old man, previously healthy and an avid runner, suffered a stroke after consuming eight highly caffeinated energy drinks daily, doctors in the United Kingdom have revealed.
The man was rushed to a stroke clinic after experiencing sudden left-sided weakness, numbness, and difficulties with balance, walking, swallowing, and speech. According to Dr. Sunil Munshi, a consulting physician at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, “His blood pressure was sky high — about 254 over 150 millimeters — yet when you looked at him you’ve never know it, because he looked so well. That’s why we call hypertension the silent killer.”
A case report published on Tuesday in the journal BMJ Case Reports details the incident. Doctors initially struggled to identify the cause, despite extensive testing. The man, a warehouse worker from Sherwood, Nottingham, eventually disclosed his daily consumption of eight energy drinks.
“Each day he consumed eight highly potent energy drinks to stay alert for his job — two cans at four different times during the day,” Dr. Munshi explained. “Each of the drinks contained 160 milligrams of caffeine. Suddenly the diagnosis was clear.”
Dr. Martha Coyle, a resident doctor at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the study’s first author, noted that some energy drinks contain up to 500 milligrams of caffeine, significantly more than the 30 milligrams in tea or 90 milligrams in coffee. “In the UK, guidelines suggest 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, between two and four cups,” Dr. Coyle stated. “This gentleman was consuming 1,200 to 1,300 milligrams, three times the amount.” The US Food and Drug Administration also recommends a daily limit of 400 milligrams.
Within weeks of stopping energy drink consumption, the man’s blood pressure normalized. However, he continues to experience lingering effects from the stroke, including numbness in his left hand and foot, even years after the incident. “I obviously wasn’t aware of the dangers drinking energy drinks were causing to myself,” the man told his doctors. “(I) have been left with numbness (in my) left hand side hand and fingers, foot and toes even after 8 years.”
Dr. Munshi emphasized that the danger isn’t solely from caffeine. Modern energy drinks often include ingredients like taurine, which can further elevate blood pressure, and high levels of glucose, known to damage blood vessels. “Energy drinks that contain caffeine plus taurine produce significantly higher blood pressure than caffeine alone,” he said. They also contain stimulants like ginseng and guarana.
The study highlights the potential for energy drinks to cause serious health problems, including cardiac arrhythmias, damage to blood vessel linings, and blood clot formation. “When platelets are aggregated, especially in the setting of high glucose, they can produce blood clots,” Dr. Munshi explained. “Young people are often willing to try energy drinks, especially in combination with other drugs such as cocaine or methylamphetamine, which have similar effects, and all of these drugs together can cause havoc.”
Doctors have reported seeing other patients with similar issues, including irregular heartbeats and strokes. Dr. Munshi believes healthcare professionals need to be more aware of the impact of energy drinks and routinely inquire about their consumption, particularly in younger patients presenting with cardiovascular problems. “The nature of these drinks is changing. They have become more and more dangerous and more potent,” he added. “We propose increased regulation of energy drink sales and advertising campaigns, which are often targeted at younger ages.”
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