Popular drinks linked to heart attacks, cardiac arrest in young adults: study

Energy drinks and stimulant-containing supplements have been linked to the risk of serious heart problems, including cardiac arrest and heart attacks, particularly among young adults.That’s according to new research released by the American Heart Association, which will be presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions in Chicago, November 6–9, 2026.A retrospective observational analysis looked at more than 28,000 reports submitted to the FDA of cardiovascular events, including cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction (heart attack), ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal rhythms), palpitations, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), chest pain and syncope (fainting).Cardiac arrest appeared in reports involving caffeine– and stimulant-containing products about 11 times as often as in reports involving products without those ingredients.Heart attacks were reported about 4.5 times as often, while ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) or palpitations were reported about four times as often, according to the AHA.Elevated heart rate, chest pain and fainting were also increased among the group consuming those substances.Approximately 45% of reported cardiovascular events associated with stimulant products involved adults ages 18 to 34.The stimulants included in the study were caffeine, methylxanthines, guarana, yerba mate, synephrine, yohimbine and other compounds.They were consumed in products such as soft drinks, meal replacement shakes, protein bars, smoothies and vitamins.Colin Kane, M.D., pediatric cardiologist and service chief at Children’s Health and professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, said the findings build on earlier case reports about potential heart risks from high caffeine intake.“We’ve known through case reports and anecdotal evidence that caffeine in high amounts can be potentially dangerous to people with underlying heart conditions and even those who have normal hearts,” Kane, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.It is g...