Energy drinks can trigger cardiac arrhythmias, according to the study published in the paper "Sudden cardiac arrest occurring in temporal proximity to consumption of energy drinks."
Energy Drinks and Heart Attack Risk
In a recent study, a team of researchers from the Mayo Clinic has warned that drinking energy drinks can be risky for individuals with genetic heart diseases. This is because such drinks contain high amounts of caffeine and other stimulating ingredients.
Led by genetic cardiologist Michael J. Ackerman, the experts examined 144 survivors of sudden cardiac arrest. Within this group, seven patients had consumed one or more drinks close to the time that the cardiac event took place. The research team also considered the cardiac problem encountered by the patients and the conditions in which the activity took place.
The study did not confirm that energy drinks are directly related to cardiac arrest. However, the researchers warned people, especially those who are genetically at risk of heart problems, should consume them moderately.
According to Ackerman, the relative risk is small, and the absolute risk of sudden death is even smaller when consumed by an energy drink. Still, he advises that patients with a known sudden death predisposing genetic heart disease should balance the risks and benefits of energy drink consumption.
There appears to be a temporal relationship between energy drink consumption and the sudden cardiac arrest event of the seven patients. Meanwhile, other potential agitators can also contribute to arrhythmia related to genetic heart disease.
These include dehydration, sleep deprivation, concomitant use of QT-prolonging medicine, dieting, or extreme fasting during the postpartum period. In connection to this, unusual consumption of energy drinks is also most likely combined with other variables to produce a 'perfect storm' of risk factors that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest in patients.
In the US, the energy drink market has grown rapidly, with sales rising to 73% between 2018 and 2023. In terms of dietary supplements, energy drinks are the second most commonly used by young people.
What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) refers to a medical condition where a person's heart suddenly stops beating. This event can stop the blood from flowing to the brain and other important organs. An SCA can be rescued with a defibrillator, but if not treated, SCA can cause death within minutes.
The human heart has an electrical system that controls the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat. A sudden cardiac arrest can occur when this electrical system does not work properly, causing irregular heartbeats.
SCA is different from a heart attack. During a heart attack, the flow to the heart is blocked, so it does not cause this organ to stop beating. Sudden cardiac arrest can also happen to a person after or during recovery from a heart attack.
A person is more at risk of SCA if they have existing medical conditions like coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or heart failure. The risk of sudden cardiac arrest also increases with age and in people who engage in drug or alcohol use.
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