😱 What happens to the heart after drinking an energy drink?
😱 What happens to the heart after drinking an energy drink? Energy drinks have long become a familiar part of student life: a can of such a beverage is almost a must‑have during exam periods, late‑night study sessions, and long shifts at part‑time jobs. People love them for the quick burst of energy and the ability to “stay alert” for hours on end — and that’s why they often forget that this effect comes at the cost of a serious strain on the body. We are launching a series of articles to remind people about the potential health risks associated with these drinks. ❗ Today, we share the opinion of a cardiologist. Kamila Kakhramonzhonovna Kholmatova, cardiologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences, PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Hospital Therapy and Endocrinology at NSMU, explains what happens to the heart after consuming an energy drink: Energy drinks differ from coffee not only in the dose of caffeine but also in the combination of stimulants (taurine, guarana, ginseng, ginkgo biloba), which produce a more pronounced effect on the cardiovascular system. Heart‑related risks: 🔹 Increased blood pressure. A meta‑analysis of 17 randomized studies shows that after a single intake, systolic blood pressure rises on average by 4.7 mm Hg (within 60–80 minutes), and diastolic pressure by 4.5 mm Hg (after 2 hours). The effect is more dangerous for people with hypertension. 🔹 Impact on cardiac output. In the first 30–40 minutes, the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute increases. With regular consumption, this creates additional strain on the entire cardiovascular system. 🔹 Risk of arrhythmias. According to the American Heart Association, the high doses of caffeine typical of energy drinks are associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias, whereas moderate coffee consumption is not. Cases of QTc interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias have been reported in young people without structural heart disease. 🔹 Sudden cardiac arrest in predisposed individuals. According to a Mayo Clinic study, among 144 survivors of sudden cardiac arrest, 7 people (5 %) experienced the event shortly after consuming an energy drink. Some of them had hereditary heart conditions (long QT syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia). In such patients, energy drinks can trigger arrhythmias. 🔹 Acute coronary events. Cases of myocardial infarctions and coronary artery thromboses have been described in young people without underlying conditions after excessive consumption of energy drinks. 🔹 Direct myocardial damage. A clinical case has been published describing elevated troponin levels and QTc interval prolongation in a teenager after consuming five cans of a strong energy drink within 6 hours — that is, even at a caffeine dose below the toxic threshold. Individual sensitivity can be very high. ❗ Energy drinks ≠ coffee. Data on the benefits or neutrality of moderate coffee consumption cannot be extrapolated to energy drinks. Available evidence on the effects of energy drinks on the heart points mainly to harm, particularly regarding arrhythmias. The reason is not only the caffeine dose but also its combination with other substances that enhance sympathetic stimulation.