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Energy drinks are usually seen as a quick solution to tiredness, long workdays, late-night studying or an intense workout. But is it possible that energy drinks might be doing more than waking you up? Could they come with risks to your heart?
A recent report has brought this question back into focus, especially for young adults who assume that heart-related problems are something to worry about when they’re much older.
What did the new research find?
According to new research announced by the American Heart Association, caffeinated energy drinks and stimulant supplements appeared disproportionately often in cases of serious heart problems.
Researchers analysed through more than 28,000 reports submitted to the US food and Drug Administration (FDA) over an eight period. Around 45% of the reports linking caffeine-or stimulant- containing products heart related cases, involved adults aged 18-34.
The analysis also found that cardiac arrest appeared about 11 times more often in reports involving products with caffeine or stimulants, than with reports without them.
However, these findings show an association, not proof that the products caused the heart problems. The research is still preliminary and has not yet been published as a full study reviewed by other experts.
How can energy drinks affect your heart?
Most energy drinks contain caffeine, a stimulant that increases alertness. Some also contain guarana, a plant ingredient that naturally contains caffeine and can add to the drink’s total caffeine content.
Consuming large amounts of caffeine may raise your heart rate and blood pressure, and contribute to heart rhythm disturbances, also known as arrhythmia.
A 2025 systematic review of studies on energy drinks and heart health also found several studies reported increases in heart rate, and blood pressure, as well as changes in the grafts electrical activity.
The effects may vary depending on things such as the amount consumed, each person’s sensitivity, and other factors. Combining energy drinks with other stimulants or consuming them before exercising may increase concerns about their effects of the heart.
Should young adults stop drinking energy drinks?
These findings are a good reason to be more mindful, not to assume that every person who drinks an energy drink will develop heart problems.
What you can do to practice safety
- Start by checking the label to know how much caffeine is in what you’re drinking, and look if added stimulants are present.
- Don’t mix them with alcohol or other drugs
- Be careful before a workout. Stimulants and intense exercise is a combination worth avoiding.
- Watch for warning signs. If you experience chest pain, fainting or , severe breathlessness, get medical help right away. And if you notice unusual or persistent heart palpitations, speak to a doctor.
Things like coffee, tea, pre-workout supplements and some other products also contribute to your daily caffeine intake. Guidance on energy drink safety from the National Institutes of Health explains some potential risks associated with taking consuming high amounts of caffeine.
Energy drinks may offer a temporary boost, but you shouldn’t use them as a replacement for adequate sleep and rest. Paying attention to how much caffeine you consume is a simple way to make better decisions about your health.
The bottom line
The study doesn’t prove energy drinks cause heart problems, but it adds to the concerns about the possible risks of these products, especially for young adults. If you drink them regularly, this is a good time to check what’s in your can, and how often you reach for it.
