We Asked 3 Cardiologists What They'd Never Drink and They All Said the Same Thing

Cardiovascular disease is the No.1 killer of men and women in the U.S., making it something to try to avoid. But there are a lot of factors that impact your risk of cardiovascular disease or having a heart event, including what you eat and drink.

"Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most prevalent and serious risk factors for many significant conditions, including heart disease," says Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD,interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA. "What we eat and drink can play an important role in how well we can control our blood pressure."

There's one drink in particular cardiologists are wary of when it comes to cardiovascular disease risk, and, unfortunately, it's available nearly everywhere. If you have it in smaller amounts of this drink here and there, Dr. Chen says it's "not likely to result in long-term consequences." But if you sip on this beverage regularly or in larger amounts, it could raise your risk of serious heart issues.

Here's why cardiologists recommend steering clear, plus safer alternatives if you're focused on having a heart-healthy diet.



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What Cardiologists Would Never Drink

It's energy drinks. "Energy drinks high in caffeine and other stimulants can pose a great harm to the heart," says Dr. Hosam Hmoud, MD, cardiologist at Northwell's Lenox Hill Hospital.

Energy drinks typically contain high amounts of caffeine, which can raise blood pressure and make the heart work harder, Dr. Hmoud says. "Higher workloads for the heart will lead to muscle thickening and potentially heart failure," he explains, adding that higher blood pressure can increase the buildup of plaque in the arteries that feed your heart, along with impact the blood vessels in your neck and brain, raising the risk of stroke.

Related: Here's How Dark Chocolate Actually Impacts Your Heart, According to Cardiologists

Lower levels of caffeine-under 400 milligrams a day-is fine for most people, says Dr. Blair Suter, MD, a cardiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Caffeine "is the most widely used pharmacologically active substance in the world and is considered safe when used in small or moderate amounts," he says.

But some energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, along with added sugars and stimulants like guarana, taurine and L-carnitine, all of which can increase blood pressure and heart rate, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

That can be problematic for anyone, Dr. Chen says. But it's especially concerning for those with underlying heart disease. "In patients with a history of arrhythmia-abnormal rhythms of the heart-high doses of caffeine may cause worse symptoms such as palpitations or feelings of a racing heartbeat," Dr. Suter adds.

Related: Scientists Reveal How Long Your Daily Walk Should Be to Significantly Lower Heart Disease Risk

When Are Energy Drinks a Problem?

Having an energy drink here and there is likely OK if you're an otherwise healthy person, Dr. Chen notes. But he says that regular use isn't a great idea for your heart health, explaining, "While occasional energy drink intake is not likely to result in long-term consequences, having energy drinks daily or many times a day could potentially result in clinical hypertension and increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms."

People who have too many energy drinks might experience heart palpitations, chest pain or lightheadedness, according to Dr. Chen. "Depending on the severity of the symptoms, it might be necessary to seek medical attention."

Related: Here's Exactly What Happens to Your Cholesterol When You Eat Blueberries

What To Drink if You Want an Energy Boost, According to Cardiologists

If you want an energy-boosting drink, Dr. Hmoud recommends having one cup of tea or coffee per day. "Tea has a multitude of benefits besides increased energy, such as antioxidants," he says.

Dr. Suter agrees. "Tea or coffee with minimal sugar would be the best bet," he says, adding that being well-informed about what's in the drinks you're having regularly.

"I would suggest trying to get a sense of the calories, amount of caffeine and amount of sugar or other additives in these beverages to educate yourself on what might be right for you," he says.

Up Next:

Sources:

• Cheng-Han Chen, MD, interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA
• Hosam Hmoud, MD, cardiologist at Northwell's Lenox Hill Hospital
• Blair Suter, MD, a cardiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
• Heart Disease Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much? Food and Drug Administration
• The Buzz on Energy Drinks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 10:50 AM.