A 28-year-old fitness enthusiast and caffeine lover from Florida tragically died from a heart attack, and her mother attributes her untimely death to her consumption of energy drinks. Katie Donnell, a teacher, was known for her commitment to a healthy lifestyle, which included regular workouts and a clean, organic diet. However, she also had a habit of consuming three energy drinks daily and taking a caffeine supplement before her gym sessions.
Lori Barranon, Donnell’s mother, expressed her disbelief at her daughter’s sudden demise. “At 28, you just don’t see people dropping dead of a heart attack,” Barranon said. She described her daughter as the epitome of health, except for her consumption of energy drinks. Barranon also revealed that Donnell suffered from severe anxiety, which she believes was exacerbated by her excessive caffeine intake.
In August 2021, Donnell was spending time with friends when she suddenly collapsed, her eyes rolling back in her head. Her friends initially thought she was having a stroke and called an ambulance, but it was too late. Donnell had been without oxygen for too long, resulting in brain damage. Despite medical efforts to revive her, she never regained consciousness and, after ten days in a medically induced coma, her family made the heartbreaking decision to take her off life support.
Barranon shared that doctors often see similar cases in individuals who consume large amounts of pre-workout supplements or energy drinks. However, they did not officially attribute Donnell’s cause of death to her caffeine consumption. The brand or type of energy drinks Donnell consumed remains unknown.
While moderate caffeine intake can enhance alertness and physical performance, it can also raise blood pressure, increase heart rate, and worsen anxiety, all of which are detrimental to heart health. In rare cases, caffeine overdoses have resulted in death. For instance, in 2018, a 21-year-old Australian musician died of caffeine toxicity after adding a teaspoon of caffeine powder to his protein shake.
Recent research suggests that consuming over 400 milligrams of caffeine a day can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in otherwise healthy individuals. Most energy drinks in the US contain between 100 to 300 mg of caffeine, with some brands containing even more. Barranon revealed that her daughter was also a heavy coffee drinker and would buy a four-pack of caffeinated drinks every two to three days.
Barranon is now urging others to be aware of the potential dangers of excessive caffeine consumption, hoping to prevent similar tragedies. “If you don’t keep your kids away from this stuff, you may be in my situation where your life is ruined. It’s so harmful and deadly. My whole family is affected by this,” Barranon said.