Energy Drinks Appear 11 Times More Often in Cardiac Arrest Reports

The tall can at 3 p.m. The pre-workout scoop before the gym. For a lot of people in their 20s and early 30s, stimulants have become as routine as morning coffee, and a new study is a good reason to look at the label before the next one.

Caffeinated drinks and stimulant supplements turned up far more often in reports of serious heart problems, according to preliminary research from the University of Virginia presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026 in Chicago. The headline figure, 11 times more often for cardiac arrest, is real, but it describes reports and not your personal risk, which matters a great deal for how you read it.

Key takeaways

Researchers reviewed 28,345 reports made to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2017 to 2025, and 854 involved caffeine or stimulant products.

Cardiac arrest came up about 11 times more often in those reports, and heart attack about 4.5 times more often.

The pattern was strongest among adults aged 18 to 34, a group not usually seen as high risk.

The study cannot calculate anyone's risk or prove the products caused the heart problems.

Health Canada caps a single-serving energy drink at 180 mg of caffeine and advises adults to stay under 400 mg a day.

What did the study find?

The researchers compared 854 reports involving caffeine or stimulant products with 27,491 reports on other foods and supplements, such as soft drinks, meal-replacement shakes, protein bars, and vitamins. Compared with those, the study found that reports involving stimulants mentioned cardiac arrest about 11 times more often and heart attacks about 4.5 times more often.

Abnormal heart rhythms showed up about four times more often, a racing heart nearly three times more often, chest pain about 2.7 times more often, and fainting about twice as often. The amounts behind these products can be surprisingly high, since some energy drinks contain up to three times more caffeine per ounce than brewed coffee, and some pre-workout supplements contain more than 12 times as much.

Why does the headline number need context?

This is where the story gets misread. The headline number describes how often cardiac arrest appeared in reports, and the American Heart Association was clear that it does not mean people who drink energy drinks are 11 times more likely to have one. Reports to the FDA are voluntary, and the researchers had no data on how many people use these products overall.

That means the study cannot calculate anyone's actual risk, and it cannot prove the products caused the heart problems. Younger adults may simply use these products more, which would make them show up more in reports. These were also preliminary findings from a conference, not yet peer-reviewed, so the full paper may add detail. Still, a signal this strong in young adults is worth taking seriously, and our guide to a heart racing for no reason explains what else can cause that feeling.

What are Canada's caffeine limits?

Canada is stricter than the U.S. on these drinks. Health Canada's caffeine limits cap a single-serving energy drink at 180 mg and require warnings that they are not recommended for children, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or anyone sensitive to caffeine. For healthy adults, the advice is no more than 400 mg a day from all sources combined.

That ceiling is easier to hit than it sounds. Two large coffees and one energy drink can get you close, and a scoop of high-dose pre-workout can push you past it alone. Our guide to how much caffeine is too much shows what common drinks contain, and if you also have high blood pressure, our guide to why blood pressure numbers keep changing explains why one reading is never the full story.

How can you use energy drinks and pre-workout more safely?

Most people who have an energy drink now and then will be fine. The concern is with stacking several sources in a day or using high-dose pre-workout products, which can pack far more stimulants than any can. A few habits keep you on the safer side, and if teens in your home use workout supplements, our report on creatine for teens is worth a read too.

Do the math. Check how much caffeine is in each can or scoop, then add up everything you have in a day, including coffee, tea, and pop.

Stick to one serving. Avoid doubling up on servings, and do not mix energy drinks with alcohol.

Ask first if your heart is a concern. If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, or a family history of sudden cardiac death, talk to a doctor before using high-stimulant products.

Notice how your body reacts. A pounding or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or shortness of breath after caffeine is a reason to cut back and get checked.

Treat chest pain as an emergency. Chest pain or fainting after a stimulant means calling 911, not waiting it out.

Frequently asked questions

Are energy drinks safe in moderation?

For most healthy adults, an occasional energy drink that keeps total caffeine under 400 mg a day is unlikely to cause harm, according to Health Canada's guidance. The risk rises with high doses, several sources in one day, alcohol, or an existing heart condition. If you notice palpitations or chest discomfort, cut back and talk to a doctor.

Is pre-workout worse than an energy drink?

Some pre-workout supplements contain far more caffeine per serving than an energy drink, sometimes more than 12 times as much per ounce as brewed coffee, and they may add other stimulants. That makes it easy to pass the daily limit with a single scoop. Check the label and count it toward your total for the day.

Can young, healthy people have heart problems from caffeine?

Heart problems from caffeine are uncommon in young, healthy people, but the new reports were concentrated among adults aged 18 to 34. Some people have an undiagnosed heart rhythm condition that stimulants can trigger. Fainting, chest pain, or a racing heart during exercise should always be checked by a doctor, whatever your age.

Your next step

If your heart races or skips after a can or a scoop, it is worth a proper check instead of a guess. The Medimap Health Hub has more on heart health, and you can book a family doctor near you.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. It does not replace a conversation with a doctor or other qualified health professional who knows your history. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.