Energy drinks and stimulant-containing supplements may be linked to serious cardiovascular events, such as cardiac arrests and heart attacks, particularly among adults aged 18 to 34, according to preliminary, independent research to be presented at the American Heart Association’s 2026 Scientific Sessions, the organization reported on November 2, 2026.
Researchers analyzed 28,345 reports of potential adverse effects submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2017 and 2025. Energy drinks and supplements containing caffeine or other stimulants were involved in 854 of these cases and appeared with disproportionate frequency in reports of serious cardiovascular issues.
The analysis showed that reports involving products with caffeine or other stimulants mentioned cardiac arrest approximately 11 times more often than reports concerning products without those ingredients. Heart attacks were mentioned about 4.5 times more frequently, and ventricular arrhythmias or heart palpitations four times more often. Nearly 45% of the cardiovascular-related reports associated with these products involved individuals between the ages of 18 and 34.
Some energy drinks contain up to three times as much caffeine as brewed coffee by volume, and certain pre-workout supplements contain more than 12 times as much. The authors warned that those who consume these products regularly can quickly exceed the recommended daily amount of caffeine. According to a 2026 scientific statement from the association, up to 400 milligrams per day is generally considered safe for most adults.
"These products are marketed as everyday stimulants and are sold alongside soft drinks and bottled water, leading most people to assume that they carry no real risk," noted Sai Samayamanthula, the study's author and a medical student at the University of Virginia.
The authors emphasized that the analysis only identified associations and does not prove that these products caused the cardiac events. The reports were voluntary, and it is unknown how many people consumed such drinks without experiencing cardiac issues, or how many experienced complications without reporting them. It should be noted that these findings are considered preliminary until they are published as a full article in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
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