Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the US said the increased caffeine content and additional unregulated ingredients in these beverages are known to alter heart rate, blood pressure and heart contractions.
Energy drinks contain 80 milligrams to 300 milligrams of caffeine per serving, while an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee has 100 milligrams, he said.
However, most of these energy drinks contain stimulants other than caffeine that are unregulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as taurine and guarana.
The study, published in the journal Heart Rhythm, examined 144 sudden cardiac arrest survivors at the Mayo Clinic, finding that seven patients (5 percent) had consumed one or more energy drinks during their cardiac event.
The clinic includes genetic cardiologist Michael J. "Abnormal consumption of energy drinks may combine with other factors to create a 'perfect storm' of risk factors that may lead to sudden cardiac arrest in these patients," Ackerman said.
"Although the study did not prove direct causation, caution is advised and doctors recommend that patients consume energy drinks in moderation," the researchers said.
Michael said that the energy drink market has grown continuously over the last few years.
"This raises concerns about the potential combined effects of caffeine consumption and additional unregulated ingredients in these beverages," the lead investigator said.
Energy drinks contain 80 milligrams to 300 milligrams of caffeine per serving, while an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee has 100 milligrams, he said.
However, most of these energy drinks contain stimulants other than caffeine that are unregulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as taurine and guarana.
The study, published in the journal Heart Rhythm, examined 144 sudden cardiac arrest survivors at the Mayo Clinic, finding that seven patients (5 percent) had consumed one or more energy drinks during their cardiac event.
The clinic includes genetic cardiologist Michael J. "Abnormal consumption of energy drinks may combine with other factors to create a 'perfect storm' of risk factors that may lead to sudden cardiac arrest in these patients," Ackerman said.
"Although the study did not prove direct causation, caution is advised and doctors recommend that patients consume energy drinks in moderation," the researchers said.
Michael said that the energy drink market has grown continuously over the last few years.
"This raises concerns about the potential combined effects of caffeine consumption and additional unregulated ingredients in these beverages," the lead investigator said.
