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Energy Drinks May Lead To Heart Problems

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Young people are facing a life-threatening problem all because of a drink that's completely legal.

Health editor Dr. Maria Simbra has the new warning about energy drinks -- how dangerous even a few can be and the lasting damage they can cause.

A couple years ago, Steve Popson of Cranberry Township could drink four to five energy drinks and day and not think anything of it.

But one evening as they watched a movie, Steve's wife noticed that his heart was racing. He went to an Urgent Care, and he was then advised to go right to the hospital. There, he was diagnosed with severe heart damage.

"I called my wife and said, 'My heart's at 10 percent,'" said Popson. "I was crying. I didn't think I was going to make it. I lost it. I mean, 'cause I have two kids, and I didn't think I was going to see them again."

He went into a coma, and he spent three weeks in the hospital- two weeks in intensive care on a breathing machine.

"When I came out of the coma, everybody was shocked," says Popson. "Nobody thought I was going to make it."

While he is able to work in maintenance for his trailer park, he still gets short of breath and has chest pressure. He has an implanted defibrillator and may even eventually need a heart transplant.

"I do worry about that," says Popson. "I'm only 27. I really don't want to go through a heart transplant at 27."

"If you get carded for cigarettes or spray paint, you should get carded for a drink that kills you," says Dr. Adrienne Schouchoff of Wexford Cardiology.

While there haven't been systematic studies, the case reports of heart damage are enough for his cardiologist to take a strong stand.

"Nothing good comes from them," says Schouchoff. "If it were up to me, I would get rid of them."

Because of his health problems, Steve is the recipient of The Cranberry Cup Award, which goes to a local family in need.

"I was struggling, trying to figure out how to pay bills because I wasn't working for so long," says Popson. "It's nice to see that the community is there to help and that there are actually good people out there."

The organization promotes volunteerism, community spirit and goodwill toward a person or family in need. This year, they're having a weekend of fundraising events on Aug. 7, 8 and 9.

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