Patient Login
When you’re in your 20s or 30s, a night out is usually an event to look forward to. It’s a chance to catch up with friends, hit the town in style and meet new people. For many of us, it’s also a chance to have a few alcoholic drinks and unwind; and providing it’s moderate, there’s not too much harm in that every once in a while.
However, for the thousands of people across the US who are using energy drinks as a mixer for their alcoholic beverages, the fun could be coming at the cost of their health.
Energy Drinks + Alcohol = Recipe for Disaster?
According to a study carried out at the University of Tasmania, young people using energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster to fuel an alcoholic night out could be up to six times more likely to experience heart palpitations and disturbed sleep as a result.
The research also discovered that they were more likely to experience tremors, extreme irritability and ‘jolt and crash’ episodes; where they enjoy a brief period of intense energy before becoming exhausted.
Excess Caffeine
The cause, according to Andrea Carr, who worked on the study, is the levels of caffeine in the drinks. Just one can of Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine, which is twice the amount of a regular can of cola.
The study contributes to existing evidence, which suggests that energy drinks can make the blood ‘stickier’, which increases the risk of heart attack. They’ve also been shown to raise blood pressure.
Concerned About Your Heart? Speak to a Professional
If you only drink energy drinks on an occasional basis, it’s unlikely that you’ll have anything to worry about. However, if you drink them regularly, or have noticed symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness, it may be worth arranging for a check-up with your local heart specialist.
If you’d like to talk to a professional, simply call Cardiovascular Solutions Institute at 941 747 8789.