Energy drinks may raise stroke risk, doctors have warned after treating a man in his 50s who drank eight cans a day and nearly died.
The patient has been left with permanent nerve damage in his left hand and foot following the incident.
Doctors at Nottingham University Hospitals said the man arrived at hospital suffering a stroke despite appearing fit and healthy.
Dr Martha Coyle said: “As our case illustrates, it is possible that intake of energy drinks may increase cardiovascular disease and stroke risk.”
She added that most people do not think energy drinks pose a heart risk and more should be done to raise awareness.
Tests showed that the man’s blood pressure was 254/150, well above the normal 120/80 and higher than the high blood pressure threshold of 140/90.
Doctors brought his blood pressure down and sent him home, but it rose sharply again.
The patient then revealed he had been drinking eight energy drinks per day, consuming up to 1,300mg of caffeine, compared with the recommended daily maximum of 400mg.
The patient said: “I obviously wasn’t aware of the dangers energy drinks were causing to myself.
“I have been left with numbness in my left hand, fingers, foot and toes even after eight years.”
Under-16s are already banned from buying super high caffeine drinks through a voluntary ban implemented by major UK supermarkets in 2018 to tackle obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.
Dr Coyle said: “Less explored are the possible increased risks of cardiovascular disease, including strokes, particularly in younger groups otherwise expected to have lower stroke risk.”
