Energy drinks may increase blood pressure, disturb heart rhythm

Energy drinks may increase blood pressure and disturb your heart’s natural rhythm, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2013 Scientific Sessions. Researchers analyzed data from seven previously published observational and interventional studies to determine how consuming energy drinks might impact heart health. “The correlation between energy drinks and increased systolic blood pressure is convincing and concerning, and more studies are needed to assess the impact on the heart rhythm.” said Sachin A. Shah, Pharm.D., lead author and assistant professor at University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. The pooled studies included healthy, young patients 18-45 years old. “People with health concerns or those who are older might have more heart-related side effects from energy drinks”, said Shah. http://newsroom.heart.org/news/energy-drinks-may-increase-blood-pressure-disturb-heart-rhythm.