Energy Drinks and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Review of Current Literature

Abstract

Energy drinks (EDs) are commonly used as a dietary supplement by young adolescents and adults. They are often used as a source of energy in order to enhance physical and mental performance. EDs contain a variety of substances, but caffeine is the main component. Safety has been the biggest concern associated with consuming EDs. Case reports, observational studies, and meta-analyses have been done in order to determine the effects of EDs on cardiovascular changes. The detrimental effects of EDs are cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, prolonged QT interval, aortic dissection, and death. In this article, we review case reports, observational studies, and meta-analyses of EDs and the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. We also review active ingredients, pharmacokinetics, and the mechanism of action of EDs.

Caffeinated Energy Drink Induced Ventricular Fibrillation: The Price for Overexcitement

“…There are case reports of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death secondary to EDs. These were reported in both patients with and without structural heart disease [5]. Ehlers et al demonstrated that heavy caffeine consumption may increase the risk of adverse effects including, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, and tachycardia [12].…”

“…Safety has been the biggest concern associated with consuming EDs. Over the past decade, it has been noticed that unexplained cardiovascular events (including death, cardiac arrest, atrial and ventricular arrhythmia, and myocardial infarction) in some young individuals developed after consuming EDs [1][2][3][4][5]. It is known that several stimulants are included in formulas of different EDs and the key ingredient in EDs is a high dose of caffeine, which is a methylxanthine, part of a chemical family that includes theophylline and aminophylline.…”

“…They usually contain caffeine, sugar, taurine, vitamins, and other ingredients like alcohol in some of them. The safety of EDs remains questionable due to a number of case reports in the past decade that have associated EDs intake with adverse cardiac events including death, cardiac arrest, atrial and ventricular arrhythmia and myocardial infarction [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”

Coexistence of Unstable Angina Pectoris and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome Developed After Consumption of Energy Drink

“…It is also stated that certain people may be more sensitive and genetically more susceptible to arrhythmias than others. Coronary vasospasm (3), ST elevation myocardial infarction (5), aortic aneurysm dissection (6), cardiac arrest (4), cardiomyopathy, prolonged QT interval incidents are reported in connection with consumption of ED (7). The probable mechanism involved in the development of myocardial infarction after ED consumption is endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggression caused by arachidonic acid (7,8,9).…”

“…Coronary vasospasm (3), ST elevation myocardial infarction (5), aortic aneurysm dissection (6), cardiac arrest (4), cardiomyopathy, prolonged QT interval incidents are reported in connection with consumption of ED (7). The probable mechanism involved in the development of myocardial infarction after ED consumption is endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggression caused by arachidonic acid (7,8,9). Especially after consumption of two or more boxes of ED, a male patient aged seventeen suffered from coronary artery spasm and another patient suffered from cardiac arrest (3).…”