Expert warns: Energy drinks trigger heart attacks

Energy drinks, which are readily available and appeal to all age groups, can pose serious health risks. These drinks, particularly popular among children and adolescents, contain stimulants that can increase heart rate and trigger arrhythmias.

Cardiology Specialist Dr. İsmail Erdoğu, who made a statement on the subject, stated that some ingredients in energy drinks give a temporary feeling of energy, but they can increase the heart rate and cause rhythm disturbances, which can trigger a heart attack.

"Widely consumed"

İsmail Erdoğu stated that he doesn't recommend heart patients consume energy drinks, saying, "Energy drinks are widely consumed today. They're sold independently by age group. Even children can easily buy and use them. These drinks contain certain substances that can provide energy. However, some molecules also have the ability to increase heart rate and trigger arrhythmias. I don't recommend that heart patients consume energy drinks. Some people consume them in cocktails with alcohol. This can lead to a higher risk of arrhythmias and heart attacks. There's no scientific evidence to support the benefits of energy drinks. If something doesn't have any benefits, it means it has side effects. I recommend using more natural methods like coffee and plenty of water instead of energy drinks for things like staying awake."

"It can trigger a heart attack"

Erdoğu, who stated that consuming energy drinks repeatedly can cause arrhythmias, said, "Consuming energy drinks in large quantities can definitely increase heart rate and cause arrhythmias. Today, we're talking about some arrhythmias related to excessive alcohol consumption. In the future, we might even say that excessive energy drink consumption is the cause of arrhythmias. Just as we can say that playing football on artificial turf can cause heart attacks for individuals who smoke heavily, people are now doing this through energy drinks. Their heart rates rise to 90 to 120 bpm when they consume these drinks. This can trigger a heart attack in someone with risk factors."