Energy Drinks Could Trigger Serious Heart Condition, Study Finds

Popular energy drinks, sold under brand names such as Red Bull and Monster, have the potential to trigger cardiac arrest in individuals with a genetic heart condition known as long QT syndrome, according to a study publicized Monday in the International Journal of Cardiology. The syndrome only affects about one in 2,000 people, but many with the condition may not even realize they have it.

"The potential cardiovascular risk of energy drinks continues to emerge as an important public health issue," said lead researcher Christopher Semsarian, a professor at the University of Sydney and Centenary Institute. "The population most at risk is teenagers and young adults, representing the population these drinks are most heavily marketed towards. Since energy drinks are widely available to all ages and over the counter, it is important that cardiovascular effects of these drinks are investigated."

In the study, the researchers found that 12.5 percent of subjects with LQTS demonstrated dangerous changes in their heart rhythms, and some experienced spikes in their blood pressure.

"Some individual patients may be at a higher risk," Semsarian said. "We therefore suggest caution in allowing the consumption of energy drinks in young patients with LQTS."

While the study itself was small and only included 24 subjects, it points to health concerns associated with energy drinks which have increased in popularity in the last 15 years. Public health researchers have yet to fully assess the impact of this development and the potential risks these drinks poses, especially to young people.

Though the energy drink manufacturers have yet to respond to this study specifically, last year Monster Beverage Corp. slammed alleged "misinformation" about its drinks when a lawsuit against the company for "life-altering injuries" was dropped.

"There is a lot of misinformation in the public about energy drinks," said Marc Miles, a lawyer for Monster Energy. "Once the substantial body of scientific evidence is reviewed, the safety of Monster Energy drinks becomes readily apparent."

"Recent scientific studies specifically conducted on Monster Energy drinks and published in peer-reviewed medical journals concluded there was no safety concern associated with the consumption of Monster Energy drinks," the attorney said. "Over the past 14 years, more than 16 billion Monster Energy drinks have been sold and safely consumed worldwide."

A company statement added that a 16-ounce Monster drink contains less than half the amount of caffeine of most medium-sized coffees sold at coffee shops.

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