# Energy drinks risk heart attacks in young adults

> New research shows energy drinks increase heart attack and cardiac arrest risk in young adults.
- Title: Energy drinks risk heart attacks in young adults · PhillyVoice
- Summary: New research shows energy drinks increase heart attack and cardiac arrest risk in young adults. Energy drinks raise heart attack and cardiac arrest risk for…
- Keywords: energy drinks, cardiac arrest, heart attacks, young adults, caffeine, stimulant supplements, adverse cardiac events, fda, children's hospital of philadelphia, food and drug administration, PhillyVoice
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/energy-drinks-health-risk-heart-attacks
- Published: 2026-11-03T20:14:19.578+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: energy drinks, cardiac arrest, heart attacks, young adults, caffeine, stimulant supplements, adverse cardiac events, fda, children's hospital of philadelphia, food and drug administration, news, local
## Energy drinks and heart risks
New research shows energy drinks increase heart attack and cardiac arrest risk in young adults.
## Study findings
The study found 45% of cardiac cases involved people aged 18 to 34, an age group not usually at high risk for heart attacks.
## Study author
Sai Samayamanthula, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, said energy drinks are marketed as everyday pick-me-ups with no real risk.
## Study methodology
The research reviewed nearly 30,000 adverse health outcomes tied to energy drink consumption reported to the Food and Drug Administration from 2017 to 2025.
## Cardiac event risks
Energy drinks with caffeine and stimulants were 11 times more likely to cause cardiac arrest than products without these ingredients.
## Heart attack risks
Energy drinks and supplements were 4.5 times more likely to include heart attacks and four times more likely to include abnormal heart rhythms.
## Caffeine limits
Healthy adults should consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine daily, but children 12 and older should have no more than 100 mg.
## Energy drink consumption
Pediatric exposures to energy drinks increased by 24% from 2022 to 2:023, according to America's Poison Centers.
## Health risks
Energy drinks increase risk of anxiety, insomnia, dehydration, and mixing with alcohol raises binge drinking and drunk driving risks.
## Industry growth
The energy drink industry hit $25 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at 6% annually.
## Key takeaway

Energy drinks raise heart attack and cardiac arrest risk for young adults aged 18-34, according to a study of 30,000 adverse health outcomes.