New Delhi: A man in his early 50s from the UK — otherwise active, healthy and without habits like smoking or alcohol use — suffered a stroke that doctors
believe may have been triggered by his extreme energy-drink consumption. His case, published in BMJ Case Reports, has prompted specialists to warn that these drinks may carry under-recognised cardiovascular risks.
The patient arrived at the hospital after losing sensation on the left side of the body. First, his balance went for a toss, then slurred speech, and finally struggling to swallow – all early signs of a stroke. Scans also revealed damage in the thalamus, an essential component of the brain for processing sensory input and coordinating movement. However, doctors were most alarmed by his blood pressure, which was too high.
At 254/150 mm Hg, it was dangerously high, far beyond what would be expected in someone with no history of hypertension. Medication initially helped, but his blood pressure shot back up once he returned home, even after the dosage was increased. That inconsistency led physicians to take a closer look at his daily habits. Only then did they discover he was drinking as many as eight energy drinks a day, each containing around 160 mg of caffeine. His daily caffeine intake was therefore more than triple the recommended adult maximum of 400 mg.
Once he stopped consuming the drinks entirely, the change was dramatic: His blood pressure stabilised, and he no longer needed antihypertensive medication. Unfortunately, the neurological damage was not fully reversible. Eight years on, he continues to experience persistent numbness in his left hand, foot and toes. The patient admitted he had never realised such drinks could cause harm, saying he was unaware that “something so easy to buy” could have such serious effects.
The doctors who treated him, Martha Coyle and Sunil Munshi of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, say his case underscores the need for clearer guidance and tighter oversight of energy-drink sales — especially since younger people, who may already be consuming them in large quantities, often consider themselves at low risk of cardiovascular disease.
Although one case cannot prove causation, the doctors argue that the potential association should not be ignored. They advise clinicians to ask about energy-drink use when patients present with unexplained high blood pressure.
