Energy drink risks: Doctors have warned that heavy consumption of energy drinks may increase the risk of heart disease and could pose a serious stroke threat, following a case involving a seemingly healthy man in his 50s who suffered a stroke after routinely drinking large amounts of the beverages.
The case, published in BMJ Case Reports, details how the patient was left with long-term numbness in his hands and feet. During assessment, he reported consuming an average of eight energy drinks a day.
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On admission, his blood pressure was measured at 254/150 mmHg, an extremely high reading. Doctors treated him with medication to bring it down, but his blood pressure remained persistently elevated even after his treatment plan was intensified.
Further questioning revealed his total daily caffeine intake from energy drinks was around 1,200 mg, far above the commonly advised adult maximum of 400 mg per day. He was asked to stop consuming the drinks. Following that change, his blood pressure returned to normal, and he no longer required blood pressure-lowering medications.
Clinicians concluded that the energy drinks likely contributed to secondary hypertension, which may have played a role in triggering the stroke. The patient later said he had not understood the risks and continues to experience lingering numbness years after the event.
The doctors said the case highlights a gap in public awareness around energy drink harms compared with more widely discussed risks like smoking and alcohol. While they noted that broader evidence is still developing, they urged stronger oversight of energy drink sales and advertising, particularly campaigns aimed at younger audiences.
They also advised healthcare professionals to ask specifically about energy drink use when patients present with unexplained high blood pressure or stroke, especially in younger adults.