Energy Drinks in Summer Heat Pose Direct Cardiovascular Risk, Expert Warns

Dr. Ekaterina Demianovskaya, a neurology specialist, has issued a warning that consuming energy drinks during hot weather presents a direct threat to cardiovascular health, particularly among individuals with overweight or chronic diseases.

Acute Physiological Effects in High Temperatures

A single can of energy drink consumed amid elevated ambient temperatures may trigger tachycardia and a marked rise in blood pressure—even in otherwise healthy individuals, according to Demianovskaya.

High-Risk Groups Identified

The physician identifies several groups at heightened risk of complications: people diagnosed with hypertension, coronary artery disease, or arrhythmias; children and adolescents, whose bodies and metabolic processes are less stable and whose cardiovascular systems show greater sensitivity to stimulants; pregnant and lactating women; individuals with diabetes; those affected by obesity; and patients taking antidepressants, antihypertensive medications, or certain antibiotics.

Mechanism of Cardiac Stress

Demianovskaya explains that active ingredients in energy drinks—primarily caffeine and sugar—deliver an immediate surge of alertness and activity. Yet under heat stress, this effect becomes hazardous to the heart. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, elevates blood pressure, and accelerates heart rate. In hot weather, the heart already operates under added strain due to peripheral vasodilation aimed at dissipating heat—making caffeine’s impact additive and potentially leading to arrhythmias or acute hypertensive spikes.

Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance

She adds that “dehydration represents another danger: caffeine acts as a diuretic, and when combined with substantial fluid loss through sweating, it heightens the risk of dehydration and depletion of essential electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium—compromising cardiac function and increasing the likelihood of thrombosis.”

Risks of Combining Energy Drinks with Alcohol

The specialist also cautions against mixing energy drinks with alcohol. Caffeine may mask certain intoxicating effects of alcohol, impairing a person’s awareness of their actual level of inebriation. This increases the likelihood of risky behavior, as well as the risks of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and possibly heat stroke.

Demianovskaya emphasizes that energy drinks—under hot climatic conditions—can shift from a perceived tool for physical stimulation to a serious cardiovascular hazard. Avoiding them during extreme weather is a fundamental protective measure, especially for populations most vulnerable to adverse outcomes.