Caffeinated ‘workout queen’ dies from heart attack at 28

Introduction to the Tragic Event

A fitness and caffeine enthusiast died at the age of 28 from a heart attack — and her devastated mother believes energy drinks are to blame.

Florida teacher Katie Donnell was committed to a healthy lifestyle — even as she often drank three energy drinks a day and took a caffeine supplement before hitting the gym.
Katie Donnell was a fitness enthusiast who also drank up to three energy drinks a day. Kennedy News and Media

The Mother’s Account

“At 28, you just don’t see people dropping dead of a heart attack,” her mother, Lori Barranon, recently told Kennedy News & Media.
“She was a workout queen, she ate real clean, she ate organic food, she was the epitome of health other than [having energy drinks].”
Barranon, 63, claimed her daughter did not have health issues apart from really bad anxiety.
“She had horrible anxiety and went to several doctors,” she said. “I don’t think it was real anxiety. I think it was her abuse of caffeine and energy drinks.”
Her mother, Lori Barranon, claims she was perfectly healthy otherwise. Kennedy News and Media

The Incident

Donnell was spending time with friends in August 2021 when she suddenly fell to the ground as her eyes rolled to the back of her head.
Her pals initially mistook the episode as a stroke.
They called an ambulance — but it was too late.
“She was without oxygen for too long and it caused brain damage,” Barranon said. “They worked on her for three hours, and she never woke up.”
After 10 days in a medically induced coma, her seizures worsened.
Her family had to make the heartbreaking decision to take her off life support.
“She was without oxygen for too long and it caused brain damage,” Barranon said of Donnell. Kennedy News and Media

The Possible Cause

“Doctors said they see this happen a lot with people that do a lot of pre-workout or energy drinks, but they wouldn’t give the cause of death to that,” Barranon said.
“I know for a fact that was what was wrong with her.”
It’s unclear the brand or type of energy drinks Donnell consumed.
While moderate caffeine intake can enhance alertness and physical performance, it can also raise blood pressure, spike heart rate and exacerbate anxiety — none of which is good for heart health.
While rare, others have died of caffeine overdoses.
In 2018, 21-year-old Australian musician Lachlan Foote died of caffeine toxicity after adding a teaspoon of caffeine powder to a protein shake.
“If you don’t keep your kids away from this stuff you may be in my situation where your life is ruined,” Barranon said. Kennedy News and Media

Similar Cases

While she ultimately survived, 20-year-old Jazmin Garza was put on life support last year after having just a few sips of an energy drink before a workout.
Recent research reports that consuming over 400 milligrams of caffeine a day can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in otherwise healthy people.
“For most adults, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is considered safe,” nutritionist Nichola Ludlam-Raine previously told The Post.
For reference, this translates to:

• Four small cups of brewed coffee (around 90–100 mg each)
• Five to six shots of espresso (about 65–80 mg each)
• Two to four larger coffee shop-style drinks

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Caffeine Content in Energy Drinks

Most energy drinks in the US contain 100 to 300 mg of caffeine — although some brands boast more.
Barranon said her daughter “was drinking a lot of coffee” and “would buy a four-pack [of caffeinated drinks] every two to three days.”

A Mother’s Warning

Now, the distraught mother is sounding the alarm in the hopes that other families can avoid similar tragedy.
“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.
“I beg people to counsel your kids and watch what they’re doing. I thought I was. I tell everybody I see with energy drinks that this is what it can do in the blink of an eye.”

Conclusion

The tragic death of Katie Donnell serves as a warning about the potential dangers of excessive caffeine consumption, particularly in the form of energy drinks. While energy drinks may provide a temporary energy boost, they can have serious health consequences, including increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and even heart attacks. It is essential for individuals, especially young people, to be aware of the risks associated with energy drinks and to consume them responsibly.

FAQs

• What was the cause of Katie Donnell’s death?
  Katie Donnell died from a heart attack, which her mother believes was caused by her excessive consumption of energy drinks.
• How much caffeine is considered safe for adults?
  For most adults, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is considered safe.
• What are the potential health risks associated with energy drinks?
  Energy drinks can increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, and exacerbate anxiety, which can be harmful to heart health.
• Can energy drinks be fatal?
  Yes, in rare cases, energy drinks can be fatal, particularly when consumed in excess or by individuals with pre-existing health conditions.