Energy Drinks Linked to More Reports of Cardiac Arrest, Study Finds
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United States: Energy drinks and supplements containing caffeine and other stimulants appear unusually often in US reports of serious heart problems, according to new research presented to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Researchers studied reports of side effects sent to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They found that cardiac arrest — when the heart suddenly stops beating — was reported about 11 times more often for these stimulant products than for products without stimulants. Heart attacks were reported about 4.5 times more often. Reports also mentioned dangerous heart rhythms, chest pain and fainting.
The findings were presented at the AHA's Scientific Sessions 2026 in Chicago. The research is preliminary and has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The researchers stress that the data cannot prove that energy drinks caused these problems. However, the findings add to concerns about the heart risks of these products, especially among young adults.