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Caffeine Overdose: It’s Rare, But This Time It Was Fatal

May 18, 2017

An extremely rare instance of a”caffeine-induced cardiac event causing a probable arrhythmia,” was the cause of death of a 16-year-old South Carolina teen, according a coroner’s report.

Davis Cripe died April 26 after drinking a large amount of caffeine in a short amount of time, according the Richland County, S.C., medical examiner. Cripe reportedly drank coffee, caffeinated soda and an energy drink in a two-hour timeframe prior to collapsing at Spring Hill High School in Chapin, S.C. He died a short time later.

Caffeine is a stimulant, causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. But death by consuming caffeine is an extremely rare occurrence.

“A young child who hasn’t used a lot of caffeine who takes a big slug of caffeine can get a big increase in their heart rate,” said Dr. Paul Thompson, co-physician-in-chief of the Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute. “What we think happens [in rare cases where caffeine-related deaths occur] is that the adrenaline causes the electrical system of the heart to misfire.”

The South Carolina medical examiner also concluded that Cripe did not have a pre-existing heart condition.

“It’s not unusual that the coroner didn’t find anything on autopsy, because there is often nothing structurally wrong with the heart,” Dr. Thompson said. “It’s a hidden electrical problem.”

Parents need to be mindful of what their kids consume, according Hartford Hospital certified dietitian Mary Noon.

“ really need to sit down and ask their kids, ‘What do you drink all day?'” she said. “And maybe instead of reaching for some of those caffeine-containing beverages, they need to reach for [other, non-alcoholic] fluids, take a short nap or they need to exercise.”

Learn more about heart and vascular health here.