The research, conducted by the University of Virginia School of Medicine, found a potential association between the use of energy drinks, performance-enhancing supplements and serious heart-related conditions in younger individuals.
Researchers analysed more than 28,000 cases reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2017 and 2025. The findings suggested that energy drinks and caffeine-based supplements were associated with a higher incidence of several cardiovascular problems among young adults.
According to the study, energy drink and supplement use was linked to 45 percent of hospital cases involving heart-related complications among individuals aged 18 to 34.
The researchers found that cardiac arrest cases were 11 times more common among people reporting higher consumption of energy drinks. Heart attacks were reported at 4.5 times the rate, while irregular heart rhythms were four times more common.
The analysis also found that cases involving chest pain were 2.7 times higher, while fainting incidents were twice as common.
Researchers noted that energy drinks are widely available and frequently consumed in everyday life, leading many people to underestimate their potential health risks.
Although occasional consumption may not significantly increase cardiovascular risks for most healthy individuals, making these beverages or supplements a regular habit could expose the heart to potentially serious complications.
Energy drinks often contain high concentrations of caffeine, which has been linked in previous reports to irregular heartbeats and cardiac arrest.
According to the American Heart Association, a daily caffeine intake of up to 400 milligrams is generally considered safe for most adults. However, some energy drinks contain up to three times the caffeine found in a cup of black coffee, while certain supplements may contain more than 12 times that amount.
The researchers said they could not establish precisely why energy drink consumption may increase cardiovascular risks among young people, adding that further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.
The findings are scheduled to be presented at the American Heart Association's annual meeting.
Earlier research conducted by the Mayo Clinic in the United States also raised concerns about a possible link between energy drinks and cardiac arrest.
That study examined 144 patients who had experienced cardiac arrest. Seven of them had consumed one or more energy drinks shortly before the incident.
Although the researchers could not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, they advised people, particularly those at risk of heart disease, to avoid energy drinks or limit their consumption.
They also stressed that these beverages offer no established health benefits that would justify the potential cardiovascular risks.
The findings were published in the journal Heart Rhythm.