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

Key Points:

• New research by the American Heart Association links energy drinks and stimulant-containing supplements to increased risks of serious heart problems, including cardiac arrest and heart attacks, especially in young adults aged 18 to 34.
• Analysis of over 28,000 FDA reports showed cardiac arrests were reported 11 times more often with caffeine- and stimulant-containing products, while heart attacks and abnormal heart rhythms were reported 4.5 and 4 times more often, respectively.
• These products often contain high caffeine levels—sometimes exceeding safe daily limits—and other stimulants like synephrine and yohimbine, which may interact unpredictably and increase cardiovascular risks.
• Experts advise young people and those with heart conditions or family history of cardiac events to monitor symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, and fainting, and to consult doctors before using these products.
• The study is preliminary and observational, so it cannot establish causation; industry groups emphasize that moderate caffeine intake is generally safe and question the study’s ability to quantify actual risk.