THREE LOCAL HEART SPECIALISTS have issued a warning to consumers to be "wary of caffeine-loaded energy drinks," after two men "ended up in hospital", and four others had to be treated for cardiac abnormalities, in recent months.

Cardiologist Dr Richard Ishmael told the SUNDAY SUN that two of the three patients he treated had ended up at the Accident and Emergency Department of the
Queen Elizabeth Hospital after experiencing an abnormally rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), and irregular heartbeat rhythms (tachyarrhythmia), following consumption of a quantity of one of the popular energy drinks now on the market.

He also warned that consumption of caffeine-packed energy drinks, when mixed with alcohol or medications prescribed for hypertension or asthma, including some inhalers, "could prove fatal" for people with pre-existing heart conditions.

In recent months, several energy brands have been introduced onto the market, including one branded Raw Dawg, which contains 100 milligrams of caffeine.

Red Bull, an eight-ounce can containing both vitamins, as well as 80 milligrams of caffeine, has been at the centre of several international health-related controversies in recent years, and has been banned in Denmark and France.

Other energy drinks include: Rip It; Bad Dog; Extreme Energy Shot; Get ah hea d-69 and Bedroom Bully.

Doctors say the drinks are being used as a sexual enhancer.

"The three male patients I saw ranged from 21 to 48 years of age," said Dr Ishmael, adding that the older patient was also suffering from high blood pressure.

"I think there is significant risk to people who are hypertensive or on blood pressure medication because drinks that are high in caffeine can precipitate tachycardia and abnormal heart rhythms, and elevate blood pressure," cautioned the specialist.

Cardiologist Dr Stephen Moe, said he had seen two Barbadians, a male and a female,
who complained of palpitations after they too had consumed a quantity of one of the energy drinks.

Concerned

"That's a lot of caffeine, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine, and people may consume several cans," explained the doctor.

He is also concerned about mixing caffeine-packed energy drinks with alcohol, a popular practice where university students often drink large amounts to stay alert when studying and use energy drinks as "a chaser" after consuming alcohol.

Heart specialist Dr Raymond J. Massay, said he recently treated a man in his late 20s who was holding down a day and a night job and was drinking six tins of one of the drinks a day to help him stay alert.

He also said the practice of "chasing" alcohol with an energy drink was "definitely dangerous".