Energy drinks, hypertension and stroke
1Stroke, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK martha.coyle2@nhs.net.
BMJ Case Reports
|December 9, 2025
Summary
High energy drink consumption, particularly those with high caffeine content, may be a significant risk factor for stroke and severe hypertension. Cessation of these drinks normalized blood pressure and allowed for medication withdrawal in a case study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- A hypertensive man in his 50s experienced an ischemic thalamic stroke.
- Standard tests for secondary hypertension were negative, and blood pressure remained high despite multiple antihypertensive medications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential link between high energy drink consumption and stroke.
- To highlight the importance of thorough patient history, including lifestyle factors, in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with ischemic stroke and resistant hypertension.
- Detailed patient history obtained after initial investigations and treatments proved insufficient.
- Monitoring of blood pressure following cessation of energy drink consumption.
Main Results:
- The patient consumed an average of eight energy drinks daily, each containing 160mg of caffeine.
- Upon discontinuing energy drink consumption, the patient's blood pressure normalized.
- Antihypertensive medications were successfully withdrawn after blood pressure stabilization.
Conclusions:
- Excessive energy drink consumption, due to high caffeine content, may be an unrecognized cause of severe hypertension and stroke.
- Clinicians should routinely inquire about energy drink intake in patients with unexplained hypertension or cardiovascular events.
- Increased public awareness regarding the cardiovascular risks associated with energy drinks is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Hypertension II: Pathophysiology
708
Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
708
01:30Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
443
Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
443
01:28Hypertension I: Introduction
676
Hypertension is a widespread, long-term medical condition where blood pressure in the arteries remains elevated. It is characterized by systolic blood pressure readings of 130 mm Hg or above or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings of 80 mm Hg or higher. Unmanaged hypertension poses significant health risks, making the distinction between primary (or essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension crucial, as their management and implications vary.Primary HypertensionPrimary hypertension,...
676
01:18Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
3.6K
Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
3.6K
01:29Stimulants
809
Stimulants are substances that enhance neural activity and elevate dopamine levels in the brain, leading to their highly addictive nature. These drugs include cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, caffeine, and nicotine, each with distinct mechanisms of action and varied health implications.
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
809
01:28Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications
578
Multiple classes of antihypertensive medications are employed in treating hypertension. The most commonly recommended first-line treatments include:Thiazide Diuretics, such as chlorthalidone, increase sodium and water excretion from the body, reducing blood volume and blood pressure.Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, like lisinopril, block the conversion of angiotensin I to II, a potent vasoconstrictor lowering blood pressure.Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) prevent angiotensin II...
578