BOSTON (WHN) – A man in his 50s experienced a sudden stroke, later diagnosed as a right thalamic lacunar stroke, following a period of consuming an average of eight high-potency energy drinks daily, according to a case report. The incident highlights a potential, though not definitively proven, link between excessive energy drink consumption and acute cardiovascular events.
The patient, described as normally fit and well with no history of smoking, alcohol, or substance abuse, presented with acute symptoms including numbness on his left side and unsteadiness. Upon hospital admission, his blood pressure was recorded at an alarming 254/150 mm Hg, a reading indicative of a hypertensive crisis. Neurological examination confirmed the left-sided sensory deficit and impaired coordination.
Diagnostic imaging provided further insight. A CT angiogram revealed signs consistent with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), characterized by sudden spasms and narrowing of cerebral arteries. Concurrently, an MRI showed tissue death in the right thalamus, a critical relay center for sensory and motor information. The diagnosis of a right thalamic lacunar stroke was subsequently made, a type of stroke occurring when a small blood vessel supplying deep brain structures becomes blocked. Strokes affecting the right side of the brain typically manifest with symptoms on the left side of the body.
Initial treatment involved physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and a regimen of blood thinners, a cholesterol-lowering drug, and blood-pressure-lowering medications. Over the subsequent three months, the patient showed good functional recovery, although persistent sensory symptoms and high blood pressure necessitated additional antihypertensive drugs.
It was during more detailed lifestyle questioning that the patient disclosed his daily consumption of approximately eight cans of a “high-potency” energy drink. Each 16-fluid-ounce can contained 160 milligrams of caffeine, bringing his daily intake to about 1.2 grams – far exceeding the generally accepted safe daily limit of less than 400 milligrams for adults.
Following advice to cease energy drink consumption, the patient’s blood pressure normalized rapidly. Within three weeks, he was able to discontinue all prescribed medications. Follow-up assessments at three and six months indicated complete resolution of hypertension and full recovery from the stroke, enabling a return to work. Eight years later, he had experienced no further strokes, though some sensory issues on his left side persisted.
The case report authors identified the patient’s excessive energy drink intake as the likely driver of his hypertensive crisis and subsequent stroke. While high caffeine levels were considered a primary factor, the authors hypothesized that other common ingredients in energy drinks could have contributed. They theorized that compounds such as taurine and guarana, when combined with caffeine, might amplify caffeine’s effects on blood pressure and blood vessel constriction. Taurine, an amino acid, is often included for its purported ergogenic properties, while guarana, derived from plant seeds, also contains caffeine and is associated with stimulant effects.
Furthermore, the high sugar content prevalent in many energy drinks may pose an additional risk by potentially inducing inflammation and impairing the function of the blood vessel lining. The authors noted a small body of existing medical literature reporting cardiovascular issues, including severe hypertension, linked to excessive energy drink consumption or individual ingredients found in these beverages.
The conclusion drawn from this case and the cited literature suggests that both short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) intake of energy drinks may elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The report authors recommended that healthcare professionals inquire specifically about energy drink consumption in younger patients presenting with stroke or unexplained hypertension. Importantly, the findings suggest that the associated risks may be reversible, as evidenced by the patient’s recovery after discontinuing energy drinks.
The patient himself reflected, “I obviously wasn’t aware of the dangers drinking energy drinks were causing to myself. [I] have been left with numbness [in my] left hand side hand and fingers, foot and toes even after 8 years.”