'Energy drinks' can lead to acute heart problems

A new research has found that energy drinks can cause heart problems.

Several people consume a number of energy drinks one after the other in dance clubs and during physical exercise, which can lead to a number of adverse conditions including angina, cardiac arrhythmia and even sudden death, according to the study.

Professor Milou-Daniel Drici from France highlighted that about 96 percent of these drinks contain caffeine, with a typical 0.25 liter can holding 2 espressos worth of caffeine, which is one of the most potent agonists of the ryanodine receptors and leads to a massive release of calcium within cardiac cells that can cause arrhythmias.

Professor Drici added that this also has effects on the heart's abilities to contract and to use oxygen.

The study found that 'caffeine syndrome', which is characterized by a fast heart rate, tremor, anxiety and headache, was the most common problem.

The study was presented at ESC Congress 2014.