- 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 consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine daily, but people with heart conditions, irregular heartbeats, or family history of heart disease should talk with a healthcare professional before consuming energy drinks or stimulant products.
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.
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
“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.
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.
“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
“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.”
An AHA scientific statement published in July 2026 notes that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine daily is generally considered safe for most healthy adults. That’s roughly equivalent to four or five 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee, depending on how it’s prepared.
However, some energy drinks contain up to three times as much caffeine per fluid ounce as brewed coffee.
Certain energy drinks may also contain stimulants, such as guarana, yerba mate, theobromine, synephrine, and yohimbine.
These ingredients may compound caffeine’s effects on the cardiovascular system.
“Caffeine stimulates the cardiovascular system, primarily by increasing sympathetic nervous system activity. This can cause the heart to beat faster, raise blood pressure, and increase the workload on the heart,” Chen said.
“Energy drinks may contain additional stimulants, such as guarana and taurine, which can further increase blood pressure and stress hormone levels. With excessive consumption, these effects can become more pronounced and potentially interfere with the heart’s normal electrical activity, increasing the risk of abnormal heart rhythms. People with underlying cardiovascular conditions, particularly hypertension or a predisposition to arrhythmias, may be especially vulnerable to these effects.”
Other research has echoed these concerns. A 2025 review suggests that high-volume energy drink consumption can prolong the heart’s QTc interval, increase blood pressure, and raise heart rate beyond the effects of caffeine alone.
“There is growing concern about the cardiovascular effects of energy drinks and stimulant-containing supplements, particularly among younger adults,” Chen said.
“One challenge is that younger individuals may not recognize that these products can have significant effects on their heart and blood pressure, especially when consumed frequently or in combination with other caffeinated products.”
Young adults accounted for a substantial portion of the FDA reports included in the study, highlighting potential cardiovascular concerns for this age group.
People with existing heart conditions, a history of irregular heart rhythms, or heightened caffeine sensitivity may face additional risks. Those with undiagnosed genetic heart conditions may also be vulnerable.
A 2024 study identified cases of sudden cardiac arrest occurring shortly after energy drink consumption, particularly among people with underlying inherited heart conditions.
“As a cardiologist, I am particularly concerned about people who may have underlying cardiovascular conditions that have not yet been diagnosed,” Chen said.
“Excessive stimulant intake can potentially trigger symptoms such as palpitations, chest discomfort, and lightheadedness. In susceptible individuals, it may also increase the risk of more serious complications, including abnormal heart rhythms.”
Additionally, combining energy drinks with strenuous exercise or alcohol may introduce additional cardiovascular risks.
The findings suggest an association between energy drinks, stimulant supplements, and reported cardiovascular events, but they are preliminary and do not establish cause and effect.
The FDA database also relied on voluntary adverse-event reports, meaning some events may never be reported, while others may receive disproportionate attention.
Researchers also do not yet know how many people consumed these products without experiencing any problems. Without this variable, the reports cannot establish actual risk.
Other factors, including underlying health conditions, medications, and lifestyle habits, may also influence the results. More systematic research and controlled clinical trials are needed.
For most healthy adults, consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is generally considered safe.
However, Chen noted that individual tolerance for caffeine may vary, and people with underlying cardiovascular conditions, particularly high blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythms, may need to limit or avoid caffeine altogether.
“Energy drinks can vary considerably in their caffeine content and serving sizes,” Chen said.
“Depending on the product, a single can may contain anywhere from 80 to 300 milligrams of caffeine. This means that consuming even one or two energy drinks can put someone close to or above the recommended daily limit, particularly when combined with coffee, tea, or other caffeinated supplements.”
Seek emergency medical attention if you experience chest pain, particularly if it’s accompanied by shortness of breath, fainting, or other symptoms of a possible heart attack.
If you live with a heart condition, ask your doctor about your daily caffeine intake to determine whether you need to cut back.
According to Chen, warning signs of excessive stimulant intake may include:
- heart palpitations
- chest pain
- lightheadedness
“Depending on the severity of these symptoms, medical attention may be necessary,” he said.
Still, most people may not need to give up caffeine entirely. Monitoring your habits could help protect your heart health. This may include:
- Tracking your intake: Count caffeine from coffee, tea, energy drinks, pre-workout products, and supplements.
- Reading ingredient labels: Check total caffeine content and look for additional stimulants, including guarana and synephrine.
- Knowing your limits: The 400-milligram daily guideline applies to most healthy adults, not everyone. Individual sensitivity varies, and some people may experience symptoms at much lower amounts.
- Considering your health history: Talk with a healthcare professional before using stimulant products if you have a heart condition, irregular heartbeat, or personal or family history of heart disease.
“I encourage people to read product labels carefully and be aware of their total daily caffeine consumption,” Chen said. “I particularly recommend that people with underlying cardiovascular conditions avoid energy drinks.”
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