By Kehinde Adegoke | LIVESCIENCE
Nottingham, England: Doctors have reported that a man in his 50s, described as “normally fit and well,” suffered a stroke after consuming an average of eight cans of high‑potency energy drinks daily.
The patient was admitted to the hospital after suddenly developing numbness on his left side and unsteadiness. Tests revealed his blood pressure had spiked to 254/150 mm Hg, a hypertensive crisis.
A neurological exam confirmed widespread numbness and poor coordination in his left arm and leg.
A CT angiogram showed narrowing of cerebral arteries, while an MRI revealed tissue death in the right thalamus — leading to a diagnosis of a right thalamic lacunar stroke. He was treated with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, blood thinners, and blood‑pressure‑lowering drugs.
Despite initial recovery, his blood pressure remained persistently high until doctors discovered his daily habit of consuming eight energy drinks, each containing 160 milligrams of caffeine.
This amounted to 1.2 grams of caffeine per day — triple the safe daily limit.
After being advised to quit energy drinks, his blood pressure normalized within weeks, allowing him to stop all medications.
Follow‑ups at three and six months showed full recovery, and eight years later, he has had no further strokes, though lingering numbness remains.
Medical experts say the case highlights the dangers of excessive consumption of energy drinks. High caffeine levels, combined with additives such as taurine and guarana, may amplify risks of hypertension and vascular constriction. High sugar content may also contribute to inflammation and vessel damage.
The authors concluded that both acute and chronic intake of energy drinks can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, urging healthcare professionals to ask patients about energy drink use when investigating unexplained hypertension or stroke.
The patient himself admitted: “I obviously wasn’t aware of the dangers drinking energy drinks was causing to myself. I have been left with numbness on my left hand side even after eight years.”
