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Your energy drink habit may carry a hidden heart risk. A new study found that energy drinks and stimulant supplements were linked to 11 times more reports of cardiac arrest and 4.5 times more reports of heart attacks compared to non-stimulant products. Young adults aged 18–34 made up nearly half of all cardiovascular reports tied to these products.
Energy drinks and stimulant supplements may carry a serious — and underappreciated — heart risk. Researchers analyzing FDA safety reports found that these products appeared far more frequently in reports of serious cardiovascular events — including cardiac arrest, heart attacks, and abnormal heart rhythms — compared to non-stimulant products like vitamins, smoothies, and protein bars. The study, presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026, reviewed 28,345 adverse event reports submitted between 2017 and 2025.
Notably, young adults aged 18–34 accounted for roughly 45% of cardiovascular reports tied to caffeinated and stimulant products — a finding researchers say warrants urgent follow-up. Experts caution that the study doesn't prove causation, as the data relies on voluntary FDA submissions and can't account for unreported cases or other contributing factors.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Energy drinks are sold like everyday beverages but aren't subject to the same pre-market safety testing as medications. With the industry topping $20 billion in sales in 2024, these findings highlight a critical gap in safety monitoring — and serve as a reminder for clinicians to ask younger patients about energy drink use when evaluating symptoms like palpitations, chest pain, or fainting.
