Preliminary research found cardiac arrest was mentioned about 11 times more often in FDA reports involving caffeinated energy drinks and stimulant supplements than in reports involving products without those ingredients.
Preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026 found that reports involving energy drinks and stimulant supplements were approximately 11 times more likely to mention cardiac arrest than reports involving products without caffeine or other stimulants.
Researchers analyzed 28,345 reports of possible adverse events submitted to an FDA safety database from 2017 through 2025. Of these, 854 reports involved energy drinks or dietary supplements containing caffeine or other stimulants, while 27,491 reports concerned products without those ingredients.
The analysis found:
Adults ages 18 to 34 accounted for approximately 45% of cardiovascular event reports involving caffeine and stimulant products. Comparable patterns appeared in reports for both men and women.
The researchers emphasized that the findings do not establish that energy drinks or stimulant supplements caused these medical emergencies. The database relies on voluntary reports, so researchers could not determine how many people consumed these products without developing cardiovascular problems or how many people experienced heart problems but never submitted a report.
"This study raises concerns that products with very high amounts of caffeine may be harmful to the cardiovascular system," said Gregory M. Marcus, M.D., M.A.S., FAHA, chair of the 2026 American Heart Association scientific statement on caffeine and cardiovascular disease. "Although there are biological reasons why that connection could be possible, the study does not prove that caffeine products cause these events, because other factors may have influenced the results found in this analysis. More research is needed to understand whether these stimulant products are truly responsible for the reported heart-related events."
Marcus did not participate in the research. He is a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and serves as associate chief of the Cardiology for Research program at the University of California, San Francisco Health.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies energy drinks and stimulant supplements as foods or dietary supplements rather than medications, so they are not subject to the same safety testing requirements that medications must meet before entering the market.
A 2026 American Heart Association Scientific Statement indicates that most adults can generally consume up to 400 mg of caffeine daily without significant safety concerns. Certain energy drinks provide up to three times as much caffeine per fluid ounce as brewed coffee, while some pre-workout supplements contain more than 12 times the concentration found in coffee.
Study author Sai Samayamanthula, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, Virginia, said healthcare professionals should ask younger patients who have palpitations, chest pain, or fainting spells if they recently or regularly consume these products.
The findings reveal a potential safety signal that warrants more systematic monitoring and further study, particularly among younger adults who frequently consume these products. The research does not identify any particular brand as more dangerous than another and does not prove that energy drinks cause cardiac arrest or heart attacks.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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