Energy Drinks May Raise Risk of Heart Problems in Young Adults, New Study Finds

Energy drinks and other stimulant-containing products may be associated with serious cardiovascular problems in young adults, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2026. Researchers analysed more than 28,000 adverse-event reports submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration between 2017 and 2025. They found that reports involving caffeine and stimulant-containing products mentioned cardiac arrest, heart attacks and abnormal heart rhythms substantially more often than reports involving products without these ingredients.

The findings are particularly relevant for people aged 18 to 34, who accounted for approximately 45% of the cardiovascular adverse-event reports associated with caffeine and stimulant products. Researchers say the results highlight the need for better safety monitoring and greater awareness of the potential cardiovascular effects of energy drinks. However, the research does not establish that these beverages directly cause heart attacks or cardiac arrest. The findings are preliminary and require further investigation.

Key Takeaways

• Researchers analysed 28,345 FDA adverse-event reports covering 2017–2025.
• Approximately 854 reports involved caffeine or other stimulant-containing products.
• Cardiac arrest was reported about 11 times more often in connection with these products.
• Heart attacks appeared approximately 4.5 times more often in the relevant reports.
• Ventricular arrhythmias and heart palpitations appeared approximately four times more often.
• Adults aged 18–34 accounted for around 45% of the reports involving cardiovascular events.
• The study does not prove that energy drinks cause these conditions.
• The American Heart Association says up to 400 mg of caffeine daily is generally safe for most adults.
• Researchers are calling for better safety monitoring and greater awareness of stimulant consumption.

What Did the New Energy Drink Study Find?

The research examined possible links between caffeinated energy drinks, stimulant supplements and serious cardiovascular events.

The study was conducted by researchers including Sai Samayamanthula, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

The team analysed reports submitted to the FDA’s adverse-event reporting database over eight years, from 2017 through 2025.

Researchers compared reports involving products containing caffeine and other stimulants with reports involving products without these ingredients.

The findings showed that serious heart-related conditions appeared disproportionately often in reports associated with stimulant-containing products.

Major cardiovascular findings

Reported cardiovascular condition	Difference in reporting
Cardiac arrest	Approximately 11 times more often
Heart attacks	Approximately 4.5 times more often
Ventricular arrhythmias	Approximately 4 times more often
Heart palpitations	Approximately 4 times more often
Elevated heart rate	Nearly 3 times more often
Chest pain	Approximately 2.71 times more often
Fainting	Approximately 2 times more often

These figures compare the frequency of conditions mentioned in the two groups of adverse-event reports. They do not represent the actual probability that someone drinking an energy drink will experience a heart problem.

The researchers also found that similar patterns appeared among men and women.

Young Adults Aged 18–34 Accounted for 45% of Reports

One of the most notable findings concerned the age distribution of reported cardiovascular events.

Approximately 45% of the reports linking caffeine- and stimulant-containing products to cardiovascular problems involved people aged 18 to 34.

This age group is not generally considered to have the same baseline cardiovascular risk as older adults.

Researchers say several factors could help explain the pattern.

Young adults may consume energy drinks frequently, particularly when studying, working long hours, gaming or exercising. Some may also combine multiple sources of caffeine, including coffee, energy drinks and pre-workout supplements.

The timing of consumption could also matter. Consuming large amounts of stimulants before intense exercise may place additional demands on the cardiovascular system.

Other possible contributing factors include:

• Frequent consumption of high-caffeine beverages.
• Combining energy drinks with pre-workout supplements.
• Mixing stimulants with alcohol or other drugs.
• Dehydration and inadequate sleep.
• Undiagnosed heart conditions.
• High-intensity physical activity after consuming stimulants.

The researchers emphasised that they do not yet fully understand why young adults featured so prominently in the reports.

How Can Energy Drinks Affect the Heart?

Most energy drinks contain caffeine, a stimulant that affects the central nervous system and can temporarily increase alertness and reduce feelings of tiredness.

However, caffeine also influences cardiovascular activity.

Depending on the amount consumed and an individual’s sensitivity, caffeine can increase heart rate, affect blood pressure and contribute to palpitations.

Energy drinks may also contain additional ingredients, including taurine, guarana and other plant extracts.

Some of these ingredients contain caffeine or related stimulant compounds, meaning the total stimulant exposure may be higher than consumers realise.

Caffeine is not the only stimulant involved

The researchers did not limit their analysis to caffeine alone.

They also included several other stimulant-related ingredients:

• Theobromine: A naturally occurring stimulant found in cocoa and certain plant products.
• Guarana: A plant extract that contains caffeine.
• Yerba mate: A plant traditionally consumed as a caffeinated beverage.
• Green tea and coffee extracts: Botanical ingredients that can contribute additional caffeine.
• Synephrine: A stimulant found in bitter orange extracts.
• Yohimbine: A stimulant used in some dietary supplements.
• Ephedra and DMAA: Stimulant ingredients associated with cardiovascular safety concerns.

This is important because consumers may take multiple products without recognising that they contain overlapping stimulant ingredients.

For example, someone consuming an energy drink alongside a pre-workout supplement may receive considerably more caffeine and other stimulants than expected.

How Much Caffeine Is Considered Safe?

According to the American Heart Association’s 2026 scientific statement on caffeine and cardiovascular disease, consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is generally considered safe for most adults.

However, this is not a universal safety guarantee.

Individual responses to caffeine vary according to sensitivity, existing medical conditions, medications and other factors.

The caffeine content of energy drinks can also vary significantly.

The American Heart Association notes that some energy drinks contain up to three times more caffeine per fluid ounce than brewed coffee. Certain pre-workout supplements can contain more than 12 times as much caffeine per fluid ounce.

Product	Important consideration
Regular coffee	Caffeine content varies by serving and preparation
Energy drinks	Some contain high concentrations of caffeine
Pre-workout supplements	May combine caffeine with additional stimulants
Tea and soft drinks	Can contribute to total daily caffeine intake
Botanical supplements	May contain caffeine or other stimulant compounds

Consumers should check the total caffeine content rather than looking only at the serving size or product category.

They should also account for caffeine from different sources throughout the day.

Why the Study Does Not Prove Energy Drinks Cause Heart Attacks

Although the findings raise concerns, the research has important limitations.

The study used an FDA adverse-event reporting database rather than following a large group of people who consumed energy drinks over several years.

Researchers examined 28,345 reports in total:

• 854 reports involved caffeine- or stimulant-containing energy drinks and supplements.
• 27,491 reports involved products without these ingredients.

These reports describe possible adverse reactions submitted to the FDA by consumers, healthcare professionals and manufacturers.

They do not establish how frequently the same conditions occur among everyone who consumes these products.

For example, millions of people may consume energy drinks without experiencing a reported cardiovascular event. Others may experience symptoms without reporting them to the FDA.

This creates several limitations.

No reliable consumption denominator: Researchers cannot calculate the actual risk per can consumed or per person using the products.

Voluntary reporting: Some adverse events may never be reported, while particularly serious cases may receive greater attention.

Other health factors: Smoking, existing heart conditions, medication use, exercise, alcohol and other substances could influence the results.

Multiple ingredients: The analysis grouped products according to stimulant ingredients rather than isolating individual brands or formulations.

The study therefore identifies an association in reported adverse events, not a confirmed cause-and-effect relationship.

Gregory M. Marcus, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the research, also emphasised that other factors could have influenced the findings.

He said further research is needed to determine whether these stimulant products are actually responsible for the reported cardiovascular events.

Why Energy Drink Safety Is Becoming a Bigger Concern

Energy drinks have become a major part of the global beverage market.

According to the American Heart Association, sales of caffeinated energy drinks exceeded $20 billion in 2024 and had more than doubled over the previous decade.

Their popularity extends beyond traditional sports and fitness audiences.

Students, office workers, gamers and people working irregular schedules increasingly consume these beverages to remain alert and manage tiredness.

The marketing of energy drinks as everyday refreshments can also make consumers less aware of their stimulant content.

Unlike prescription medications, energy drinks and many stimulant supplements are regulated as foods or dietary supplements in the United States.

They therefore do not undergo the same premarket safety testing required for medicines.

Researchers argue that this makes stronger safety monitoring and clearer ingredient information particularly important.

What Consumers Should Know Before Drinking Energy Drinks

The findings do not mean that every person who consumes an energy drink will develop a heart condition.

However, they highlight the importance of understanding total stimulant consumption.

Some practical precautions include:

• Check the caffeine content before purchasing an energy drink.
• Avoid combining several high-caffeine products.
• Pay attention to caffeine in pre-workout supplements.
• Avoid mixing energy drinks with alcohol or other stimulants.
• Be particularly cautious before intense exercise.
• Avoid these products if a healthcare professional has advised you to limit or avoid stimulants.
• Seek medical advice if you experience recurring palpitations or unusual symptoms after consuming them.

Chest pain, fainting or severe breathing difficulty should not be dismissed as ordinary caffeine effects. These symptoms warrant urgent medical assessment.

Researchers also recommend that doctors ask younger patients experiencing palpitations, chest pain or fainting whether they regularly consume energy drinks or stimulant supplements.

The Bigger Picture

The new research adds to growing concerns about the cardiovascular effects of high-caffeine beverages and stimulant supplements, particularly among younger consumers. Energy drinks are widely available and often marketed as convenient ways to improve alertness and performance. However, the combination of caffeine and other stimulants may create risks that consumers do not always recognise.

The study does not establish that energy drinks cause heart attacks or cardiac arrest, but its findings support stronger safety monitoring and better public awareness. As consumption continues to grow, manufacturers, healthcare professionals and regulators will face increasing pressure to improve ingredient transparency and understand the long-term effects of regular stimulant exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can energy drinks cause heart problems?

Energy drinks contain caffeine and sometimes additional stimulants that can affect heart rate and blood pressure. Research has identified associations with serious cardiovascular events, but the latest study does not prove that energy drinks directly cause these conditions.

2. What did the new energy drink study find?

Researchers analysed 28,345 FDA adverse-event reports and found that cardiac arrest was reported approximately 11 times more often in connection with caffeine- and stimulant-containing products than products without those ingredients.

3. Why are young adults at risk?

Adults aged 18–34 accounted for approximately 45% of the cardiovascular reports associated with stimulant products. Frequent consumption, combining stimulants, intense exercise and undiagnosed heart conditions may contribute to the observed pattern.

4. How much caffeine can an adult consume daily?

The American Heart Association says up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is generally safe for most adults. Individual tolerance and medical circumstances can differ.

5. Can energy drinks cause heart palpitations?

Caffeine and other stimulants can increase heart activity and may contribute to palpitations in some individuals. Repeated or severe palpitations should be medically assessed.

6. Are energy drinks more dangerous than coffee?

The answer depends on caffeine concentration, serving size and additional ingredients. Some energy drinks contain substantially more caffeine per fluid ounce than brewed coffee and may include other stimulants.

7. Does the study prove that energy drinks cause cardiac arrest?

No. It analysed voluntary adverse-event reports and identified associations. It did not establish a direct causal relationship or calculate the actual risk among all energy drink consumers.

8. Should young adults stop drinking energy drinks?

The study does not establish that occasional consumption causes harm in every healthy person. However, people should monitor total caffeine intake, avoid stacking stimulant products and seek medical advice if they experience concerning symptoms.

Looking Ahead

Researchers are calling for more comprehensive studies to determine how energy drinks and stimulant supplements affect cardiovascular health, particularly among younger consumers. Better reporting systems, clearer caffeine labelling and research into combinations of stimulants could help establish which products and consumption patterns carry the greatest risks. The findings may also encourage healthcare professionals to ask more specific questions about energy drink consumption when evaluating young people with unexplained cardiovascular symptoms.

For consumers, the main lesson is that energy drinks should not automatically be treated like ordinary soft drinks. Their stimulant content can vary substantially, and combining multiple products can increase total exposure. The latest research is preliminary, but it reinforces the importance of understanding what is in these beverages and recognising that frequent or excessive stimulant consumption may have consequences for cardiovascular health.