Energy Drinks, Stimulant Supplements Linked to Higher Heart Risks in Young Adults
November 10, 2026
Energy drinks and stimulant supplements may be associated with significantly higher risks of serious heart problems in young adults, including an 11-fold increase in cardiac arrest and a 4.5-fold higher risk of heart attack, according to preliminary research. Some energy drinks contain up to three times as much caffeine per fluid ounce as brewed coffee, plus additional stimulants like guarana and taurine that can further increase blood pressure and heart rate. Most healthy adults can safely cons
New research suggests that caffeinated energy drinks and stimulant supplements are associated with significantly higher risks of serious heart problems, including cardiac arrest and heart attack in young adults.
The findings, to be presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2026Trusted Source November 6–9 in Chicago, are preliminary and can’t prove that energy drinks cause heart problems.
Still, the results highlight concerning cardiovascular effects of these popular products, particularly among adults under 35 who consume them regularly.
“These products are marketed as everyday pick-me-ups and sold next to soda and bottled water, so most people assume they carry no real risk,” study author Sai SamayamanthulaTrusted Source, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, VA, said in a news releaseTrusted Source.
“For many healthy people, if these products are consumed occasionally, the risk is probably small. However, individuals who consume energy drinks or other stimulant-containing supplements regularly can quickly exceed the recommended daily limit for caffeine, so it’s important for people to know that there may be a risk of cardiovascular harm with these products,” Samayamanthula continued.
Energy drinks linked to 4.5 times more heart attack reports
Researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine analyzed 28,345 reports submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2017 and 2025.
Of these, 854 involved caffeinated energy drinks or stimulant supplements, while the remaining reports involved non-stimulant products.
Compared with non-stimulant products, cardiac arrest was reported approximately 11 times more often with energy drinks and stimulant supplements. Heart attacks were reported 4.5 times more often, while ventricular arrhythmias and palpitations were reported about four times more frequently.
Nearly 45% of heart-related reports involved adults ages 18 to 34.
“Our findings support the case for more systematic safety monitoring of caffeine- and stimulant-containing products. In addition, healthcare professionals should remember to ask their younger patients who have palpitations, chest pain or fainting spells if they recently or regularly consume these products,” Samayamanthula said.
Gregory M. Marcus, MD, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, and chair of the 2026 AHA scientific statement on caffeine and cardiovascular diseaseTrusted Source, wasn’t involved in the study, but said the research “raises concerns that products with very high amounts of caffeine may be harmful to the cardiovascular system.”
“Although there are biological reasons why that connection could be possible, the study does not prove that caffeine products cause these events, because other factors may have influenced the results found in this analysis,” Marcus said in a news releaseTrusted Source.
“More research is needed to understand whether these stimulant products are truly responsible for the reported heart-related events.”
Cheng-Han Chen, MD, board certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, said the findings, although concerning, are not surprising. Chen wasn’t involved in the study.
“We know that energy drinks can have significant effects on the cardiovascular system, primarily because of their stimulant properties,” he told Healthline.
“Caffeine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, while other ingredients, such as guarana and taurine, may further contribute to cardiovascular stimulation and increased stress hormone levels. What is particularly concerning is the potential for these products to trigger serious complications, including abnormal heart rhythms, especially in people with underlying cardiovascular conditions.”
Chen agreed that occasional energy drink consumption is unlikely to have long-term consequences for heart health in most healthy individuals. However, he said that “frequent or excessive consumption can potentially increase the risk of hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias.”
Source: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/energy-drinks-stimulants-higher-heart-risks-young-adults#Energy-drinks-linked-to-4-5-times-more-heart-attack-reports
