title: Electrocardiographic and blood pressure effects of energy drinks and Panax ginseng in healthy volunteers: A randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Energy drink usage has been linked to emergency room visits and deaths. The objective of the study is to assess the electrocardiographic and blood pressure effects of energy drinks, Panax ginseng and placebo in healthy individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled, crossover study. Young healthy volunteers with no comorbid conditions consumed 32oz of an energy drink, control drink with 800mg of Panax ginseng or matching placebo-control drink over 45min. Primary endpoints were QTc interval and systolic blood pressure. Secondary endpoints included QT interval, PR interval, QRS duration, heart rate, and diastolic blood pressure. All endpoints were assessed at baseline, 1, 2, 3.5, and 5.5h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant increase in QTc interval 2h post energy drink consumption was evident when compared to placebo (3.37±10.7ms and -3.19±11.8ms respectively; p=0.030). Similarly, systolic blood pressure 2h post energy drink consumption increased when compared to placebo (2.00±6.37mmHg and -2.67±5.83mmHg respectively; p=0.014). The PR interval significantly reduced over a 2h period post energy drink use in a clinically non-meaningful manner. Heart rate at 2h was not significantly higher in the energy drink group when compared to others. The QT interval, QRS interval and diastolic blood pressure were not impacted at any time point.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Certain energy drinks consumed at a high volume significantly increase the QTc interval and systolic blood pressure by over 6ms and 4mmHg respectively. Panax ginseng does not have a significant impact on ECG or blood pressure parameters.
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA, United States. Electronic address: sshah@pacific.edu.
authors.forename: Sachin A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Occiano
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Tinh An
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Heart, Lung and Vascular Clinic, David Grant USAF Medical Center, Travis AFB, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Joseph C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sky
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Mouchumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Kate M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: O'Dell
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Nancy N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography; D061215:Energy Drinks / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005894:Panax / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Arrhythmia; Blood pressure; Electrocardiography; Electrophysiology; Energy drink