If you collapse, stop breathing normally, or have no pulse, call 911 right away, whatever you drank. If you have chest pain or pressure after an energy drink, call 911 when it is new, intense, or does not settle. Research linking energy drinks to cardiac arrest is still mostly individual case reports and one small study, so these warning signs matter more than any rule about how many cans are safe.
What are the signs of cardiac arrest?
As of November 2026, the NHLBI cardiac arrest guide (last updated May 19, 2022) says cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops pumping. A person may be having one if they:
- Collapse suddenly and lose consciousness (pass out)
- Are not breathing, or their breathing is ineffective, or they are gasping for air
- Do not respond to shouting or shaking
- Do not have a pulse
Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. The guide says nine out of 10 people who have a cardiac arrest outside a hospital die, often within minutes. Calling 9-1-1 and immediately starting CPR and defibrillation can save a life, and calling 9-1-1 first matters because a person has a better chance when first responders arrive quickly. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are installed in many public places, including offices, schools, shopping malls, airports and gyms.
How do you tell a heart attack from a racing heart after an energy drink?
A racing or pounding heart is a common reaction to caffeine. Northwell Health’s The Well, in a September 21, 2026 article by cardiologist Evelina Grayver, MD, says one person may have an energy drink with no obvious symptoms, while another may feel chest tightness, palpitations, or a racing heart after one can. The table below sorts the symptoms by what to do.
| Symptom | What to do |
|---|---|
| Collapse, no pulse, not breathing normally, no response to shouting or shaking (cardiac arrest, per the NHLBI guide) | Call 9-1-1 now and start CPR. Use an AED if one is nearby. |
| Chest pain or pressure that is new, intense, or does not settle; severe shortness of breath with chest discomfort; fainting or feeling you might pass out; weakness, sweating, nausea, or pain spreading beyond the chest (Northwell lists these as possible heart attack warning signs, especially with chest pain or pressure) | Call 911. |
| A racing or irregular heartbeat that keeps going after you stop the drink and hydrate, with none of the emergency symptoms above | Seek prompt care somewhere an EKG can be done. |
| A racing, pounding, or fluttering heart that settles, and you otherwise feel fine | Stop drinking it. Don’t add more caffeine or try to exercise through it. Sit down, hydrate, and watch whether it improves. |
Northwell’s cardiologist puts the key point plainly: chest pain after an energy drink “isn’t something to shrug off,” and you shouldn’t “assume it’s just caffeine.” Chest pain can come from caffeine, anxiety, reflux, or a muscle strain, and only a clinician can tell which. If you are asking how to stop chest pain from an energy drink, stopping the drink is the first step, but Northwell advises against trying to manage chest symptoms at home if they feel serious, unfamiliar, or persistent.
Can energy drinks cause a heart attack?
Northwell’s article says one energy drink “doesn’t automatically cause a heart attack in an otherwise healthy person,” but energy drinks “aren’t harmless for every heart.” Its cardiologist explains that a stimulant’s extra push on heart rate and blood pressure can become more concerning for people with coronary artery disease, a history of heart attack, arrhythmias, high blood pressure, dehydration, or high stimulant intake.
Who is more at risk from energy drinks and the heart?
According to Northwell, these are the situations where the drink deserves the most caution:
- You have coronary artery disease or have had a heart attack before
- You have high blood pressure
- You have had an arrhythmia or recurring palpitations
- You are dehydrated or short on sleep
- You have had more than one energy drink, or mixed one with alcohol or a pre-workout supplement
The NHLBI guide lists the main risk factors for cardiac arrest as prior cardiac arrest, coronary heart disease, heart valve disease, congenital heart defects, and arrhythmias caused by faulty genes. In the Mayo Clinic study below, the authors said the findings may apply particularly to people with underlying genetic heart conditions.
What has the research on energy drinks and heart events found?
Each of these studies is small. The table shows what each one looked at and what it can and cannot tell you.
| Study | Design and size | What it measured | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 study in Amino Acids on a taurine-containing drink | Randomized, double-blind crossover trial; 13 endurance-trained people | Heart pumping measured by echocardiography after Red Bull, a similar caffeinated drink without taurine, and a placebo | Stroke volume changed after the Red Bull only. This measured heart function, not symptoms. |
| 2016 case report in the Journal of Addiction Medicine | One patient: a 28-year-old man described as previously healthy, who drank 2 Monster energy drinks and 2 to 3 beers daily | Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (an irregular, fast heartbeat) | The authors said the case adds to reports linking highly caffeinated drinks to adverse cardiovascular events. One case cannot show cause. |
| 2025 case report in Case Reports in Cardiology | One patient: a 24-year-old man with no prior health conditions | An aborted sudden cardiac death after an energy drink binge hours before a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest; a blocked artery was treated | The case authors suspected the energy drinks contributed. One case cannot show cause. |
| Mayo Clinic study published in the journal HeartRhythm (reported by Starting Hearts on June 11, 2024) | Records of more than 5,000 patients at one Mayo Clinic site; more than 140 cardiac arrest survivors | Whether survivors had consumed an energy drink around the time of the event; 7 reported it, aged 20 to 42 | Researchers said it is unclear what role, if any, energy drinks played. The report says the findings may apply particularly to people with underlying genetic heart conditions, and one patient had a previously diagnosed heart condition. |
What is not known yet?
Researchers do not yet know how much energy drinks contribute to cardiac arrest. In the Mayo study, the researchers acknowledged that the arrests occurred alongside other possible factors, including sleep deprivation, dehydration, postpartum conditions, and extreme dieting or fasting. Northwell says there is no universal number of energy drinks that is safe for everyone, so no study here gives you a safe limit.
What should you do next?
Learn the basics of CPR and AED use before you need them. The NHLBI guide notes that AED training is often provided along with CPR training, and that many major health organizations offer classes, some online. If you have a known heart condition, Northwell advises asking a clinician whether energy drinks are safe for you at all.
Staying hydrated matters too, and our guide to hydration and weight loss explains why water is a daily basic. If you are looking at other daily options besides energy drinks, start with supplements and everyday wellness.
Disclosure: this page does not recommend or sell any product.
By the Clinical Research Explained Editorial Team
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.