Popular drinks linked to heart attacks, cardiac arrest in young adults: study

A preliminary analysis found that reports of serious heart problems were more common when they involved caffeine or other stimulants, including products such as energy drinks and supplements. The findings highlight potential risks for young adults, though they do not show that these products directly caused the reported events.

Researchers examined more than 28,000 FDA reports: cardiac arrest appeared about 11 times as often, heart attacks 4.5 times as often, and ventricular arrhythmias or palpitations about four times as often in reports involving stimulant products. Around 45% of those reports involved adults aged 18 to 34. The analysis was observational and has not yet been published as a full peer-reviewed paper; researchers advise monitoring intake and seeking medical advice about symptoms or existing heart risks.