The Effects of Energy Drinks on the Cardiovascular System: A Systematic Review

Energy drinks are widely marketed to enhance alertness and performance, making them a rapidly growing industry valued at $73.99 billion. These beverages typically contain caffeine and other stimulants, but their consumption has raised concerns about potential cardiovascular risks, including arrhythmias, tachycardia, and hypertension, particularly among young adults. While moderate caffeine intake may offer health benefits, excessive consumption of energy drinks has been linked to increased cardiovascular risks. This systematic review aims to explore the cardiovascular effects of energy drink consumption, identify knowledge gaps, and guide clinicians in making recommendations.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including CENTRAL, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, and others. Studies were screened for those involving energy drink consumption and cardiovascular outcomes such as heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG changes. After screening abstracts, full-text articles were reviewed based on inclusion criteria: participants aged 13+, energy drink consumption, and relevant cardiovascular endpoints.

A total of 1,444 references were screened, resulting in 37 studies with 1,597 participants (mean age 22.6). Red Bull and Monster were the most studied brands. Results showed significant cardiovascular effects, including increased heart rate (60.9%), systolic blood pressure (53.8%), diastolic blood pressure (61.5%), and QTc interval prolongation (63.2%). Other ECG changes, such as PR interval and T-wave alterations, were observed in 57.9% of studies.

This review highlights the cardiovascular risks of energy drinks, including increased heart rate, blood pressure, and QTc prolongation. Future research should focus on at-risk groups and long-term effects.