Blood Pressure Soared to 254, Leading to Emergency Room Visit
Daily Consumption of Eight Energy Drinks Was the Cause
A case has come to light in the United Kingdom involving a man in his 50s, who did not drink alcohol or smoke, but suffered a stroke after regularly consuming energy drinks.
On December 17 (local time), the science media outlet Live Science reported on this case, citing a report by neurologists at Nottingham University Hospital published in the British Medical Journal. The man, referred to as Mr. A, who lived in Nottingham, suddenly lost sensation on the left side of his body and was unable to maintain his balance, leading to an emergency room visit. For Mr. A, who had no history of smoking or drinking, the situation was all the more shocking.
At the time, his blood pressure measured at a dangerously high level of 254 mmHg systolic and 150 mmHg diastolic, more than double the normal range of 120 mmHg/80 mmHg. Detailed examinations suggested that Mr. A was suffering from reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), a condition in which the brain's arteries constrict and narrow. MRI scans revealed necrosis of tissue in the thalamus region of his brain. He was ultimately diagnosed with a right thalamic lacunar stroke and began inpatient treatment. Even after discharge, his hypertension persisted for three months, and his numbness symptoms actually worsened.
In fact, Mr. A had been drinking an average of eight cans of high-concentration energy drinks per day. Each can (about 473 ml) contained 160 mg of caffeine. This means he was consuming about 1.2 grams of caffeine daily-more than three times the recommended adult limit of 400 mg.
The medical team, searching for the cause of his condition, advised him to stop consuming energy drinks. As a result, his blood pressure returned to normal. Within just three weeks, he was able to discontinue all medications and return to work. It has been reported that, even after eight years, he has maintained his health without a recurrence of stroke. However, the abnormal sensation on the left side of his body that developed at the time of the first incident has remained permanent. Mr. A stated, "I had no idea what risks drinking energy drinks could bring," and added, "Even after eight years, I still have no feeling in my left hand, fingers, foot, and toes."
The medical team emphasized, "Healthcare professionals should ask young patients presenting with stroke or unexplained hypertension specific questions about their energy drink consumption." They stressed that excessive intake of high-caffeine energy drinks can overstimulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to a rapid rise in blood pressure and constriction of cerebral blood vessels.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
