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 was at a dangerously high level, with a systolic reading of 254 mmHg and a diastolic reading of 150 mmHg, more than double the normal range (120 mmHg/80 mmHg). Detailed examinations suggested that Mr. A was suffering from reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), a condition in which the arteries in the brain constrict and narrow. MRI scans revealed tissue necrosis in the thalamic region of his brain. He was ultimately diagnosed with a right thalamic lacunar stroke and began inpatient treatment. Even after being discharged, Mr. A’s hypertension persisted for three months, and his numbness symptoms actually worsened.
In fact, Mr. A had been consuming an average of eight cans of high-concentration energy drinks per day. Each can (approximately 473 ml) contained 160 mg of caffeine. This means he was ingesting around 1.2 grams of caffeine daily-more than three times the recommended adult limit of 400 mg.
The medical team, in searching for the cause, advised him to stop consuming energy drinks. After he followed this advice, his blood pressure returned to normal. Within just three weeks, he was able to stop taking all medications and return to work. It is reported that he has remained healthy without any recurrence of stroke for the past eight years. However, the abnormal sensation on the left side of his body that developed at the time of the initial stroke has remained permanent. Mr. A said, "I had no idea how dangerous drinking energy drinks could be," adding, "Even after eight years, I still have no sensation 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 energy drink consumption," adding that excessive intake of high-caffeine energy drinks can overstimulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to sudden spikes in blood pressure and cerebral vasoconstriction.
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