Latest News:  

English>>Life & Culture

Energy drinks may increase blood pressure, disturb heart rhythm: research

(Xinhua)

08:55, March 22, 2013

(file photo)

WASHINGTON, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Energy drinks may increase blood pressure and disturb your heart's natural rhythm, according to a research presented Thursday at the American Heart Association's 2013 scientific sessions.

Researchers analyzed data from seven previously published observational and interventional studies to determine how consuming energy drinks might impact heart health.

In the first part of the pooled analysis, the researchers examined the QT interval of 93 people who had just consumed one to three cans of energy drinks. They found that the QT interval was 10 milliseconds longer for those who had consumed the energy drinks. The QT interval describes a segment of the heart's rhythm on an electrocardiogram; when prolonged, it can cause serious irregular heartbeats or sudden cardiac death.

"Doctors are generally concerned if patients experience an additional 30 milliseconds in their QT interval from baseline," said Sachin Shah, lead author and assistant professor at University of the Pacific in California.

Researchers also found that the systolic blood pressure, the top number in a blood pressure reading, increased an average of 3. 5 points in a pool of 132 participants.

"The correlation between energy drinks and increased systolic blood pressure is convincing and concerning, and more studies are needed to assess the impact on the heart rhythm," Shah said. " Patients with high blood pressures or long QT syndrome should use caution and judgment before consuming an energy drink.

We recommend:

Those Xiaorenshu we read in childhood

Trip planner: four-day trip to S China

Wonderful snapshots of flying buzzards

Forever Shangri-la: China's heaven on earth

Top 10 ever-victorious generals in history

Dreamy log cabins among woods

Top 10 best airports in China 2012

Mysterious Zhongnanhai in Beijing

Top 10 Chinese 'Kung Fu Kings' in Minguo period

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:DuMingming、Yao Chun)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. Missile brigade conducts drill

  2. Malaysian security forces launch attack

  3. Thousand-Buddha Cliff in Lhasa

  4. Photo story:How real life is, how real love is!

  5. Yunnan fights against crayfish invasion

  6. Cute dolphins nursed and trained in HK

  7. Written-off vehicles-turned transformers

  8. Beckham in Beijing, playing football in suits

  9. Opinion: In Europe for Europe

  10. China's solar giant declares bankruptcy

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Richer parents, more fashionable children
  2. Hopes for Obama's trip
  3. Commentary: To pivot to Asia or peace?
  4. Lavish behavior punished
  5. Migration part of global development
  6. CCTV in hot water after corporate exposé backfires
  7. Cultural parks no substitute for talent
  8. Planning vital to diplomacy
  9. Loopholes for rich make estate tax meaningless
  10. How to start transformation and upgrading?

What’s happening in China

How real life is, how real love is!

  1. Gov't funding for drug addicts HIV program
  2. China handles more IPR crimes in 2012
  3. BMW driver sentenced for obstructing police
  4. 'Old clerks' get new role showing rich how to shop
  5. Leftover men without means likely to stay single