Caffeinated energy drinks and stimulant supplements appeared disproportionately in Food and Drug Administration safety reports, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2026.
Researchers examined a federal database containing 28,345 reports of suspected adverse reactions submitted between 2017 and 2025. Out of those filings, 854 involved products containing caffeine or other stimulants. The analysis found that cardiac arrest was reported about 11 times more often in connection with caffeine and stimulant products compared to items without those ingredients.
Reports mentioning stimulant supplements and energy drinks showed an incidence of heart attacks roughly 4.5 times greater. The review also identified reports of ventricular arrhythmias and heart palpitations appearing about four times as often, reports of chest pain appearing 2.71 times as frequent, and reports of fainting being approximately twice as frequent.
“These products are marketed as everyday pick-me-ups and sold next to soda and bottled water, so most people assume they carry no real risk,” said Sai Samayamanthula.
Adults between the ages of 18 and 34 accounted for approximately 45 percent of the cardiovascular event reports involving caffeine and stimulant products, a demographic typically considered at lower risk for sudden heart problems. Comparable patterns appeared in reports submitted for both sexes.
“For many healthy people, if these products are consumed occasionally, the risk is probably small,” Samayamanthula said. “In addition, healthcare professionals should remember to ask their younger patients who have palpitations, chest pain, or fainting spells if they recently or regularly consume these products.”
Cheng-Han Chen, a cardiologist not involved in the study, said energy drinks can affect the cardiovascular system because of their stimulant properties. “Caffeine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, while other ingredients, such as guarana and taurine, may further contribute to cardiovascular stimulation and increased stress hormone levels,” Chen said.
The American Heart Association’s 2026 scientific statement on caffeine and cardiovascular disease notes that consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine daily is generally considered safe for most healthy adults, an amount roughly equivalent to five 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee.
However, concentrated products often exceed standard coffee in caffeine content. According to Pamela Benavidez, a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist based at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio, brewed coffee has up to three times less caffeine per fluid ounce than certain energy drinks, whereas specific pre-workout formulations pack more than 12 times the concentration.
“I particularly recommend that people with underlying cardiovascular conditions avoid energy drinks,” Chen said.
Because the FDA database relies on voluntary submissions from consumers, healthcare professionals, and manufacturers, experts emphasize that the findings demonstrate statistical association rather than direct causation.
“Importantly, the reported 11-fold difference in cardiac arrest reporting does not mean consumers are 11 times more likely to experience cardiac arrest,” said Gregory Marcus, chair of the 2026 American Heart Association scientific statement on caffeine and cardiovascular disease.
In a published statement, the Council for Responsible Nutrition likewise challenged elements of the research methods, pointing out that because the abstract groups pill and powder supplements together with concentrated shots and energy drinks, it fails to pinpoint which specific product type drove the reporting trends.
Andrea Wong, CRN’s chief science officer, pointed out that the reported 11-fold difference in cardiac arrest reporting does not mean consumers face an 11-fold increase in actual risk.
Earlier coverage: Study of FDA Data Links Energy Drinks to Higher Cardiac Arrest Risk