Article updated: 1/16/2013 6:53 AM

ER visits tied to energy drinks double since 2007

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Dr. Steve Sun looks over a heart monitor display in the emergency room at St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco.

Associated Press

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A new government survey suggests the number of people seeking emergency treatment after consuming energy drinks has doubled nationwide during the past four years, the same period in which the supercharged drink industry has surged in popularity in convenience stores, bars and on college campuses. From 2007 to 2011, the government estimates the number of emergency room visits involving the neon-labeled beverages shot up from about 10,000 to more than 20,000.