Caffeine, Energy Drinks and the Teenage Heart: A Guide For Parents
Energy drinks are used quite often by teens, especially teen athletes, for a quick energy boost. Many schools throughout the U.S. even sell them on campus in vending machines, school stores, or in the school cafeteria or snack bar. While energy drinks may be easily available and convenient for teens with busy, active schedules, it is important to be aware of the potential risks of consistent use of these, and other highly caffeinated drinks.
Robert Whitehill, MD, a pediatric cardiologist who serves as the Medical Director of the Electrophysiology Program at the Children’s Heart Center, breaks down what families should know about caffeine and energy drinks, as well as the effects they can have on the heart.
“At Children’s, we are seeing an increase in visits and hearing more concerns from parents about energy drinks,” Dr. Whitehill explains. “Our cardiology team often hears questions from parents about how energy drinks affect their teen’s heart.”
As energy drinks and caffeinated beverages become more appealing to teen athletes, with promises of high performance and a seemingly endless variety of flavors to suit every taste, it is important to be aware of the effects of high caffeine intake.
Is Caffeine Bad for Kids and Teens?
One of the main ingredients in energy drinks is caffeine. “Caffeine is a stimulant that directly affects the way your brain is operating,” explains Dr. Whitehill. “Caffeine specifically blocks signals in your brain which are used to help you feel tired or relaxed so you feel more awake and alert. But it can also make you feel nauseous, jittery, or like your heart is racing or skipping a beat.”
Energy drinks or any excessive caffeine intake can cause symptoms that include:
- Dizziness with activity or exercise.
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
- Heart flutters or heart palpitations, the feeling that your heart is beating irregularly or more quickly than usual.
- In some cases, too much caffeine can cause extra heartbeats, known as premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).
- Nausea and/or dehydration.
How Much Caffeine is Too Much for Kids and Teens?
The recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics is that children under the age of 12 years old should avoid caffeine entirely and that adolescents ages 12 to 18 should limit caffeine to less than 100 mg per day (about the equivalent of a standard cup of coffee). It is important to note that many popular energy drinks contain 100-200 mg of caffeine per serving.
“I think a practical approach is to understand that teens are going to be using energy drinks, and advise them to use moderation. Keep hydrating and pay attention to the ingredients and levels of caffeine, as they can vary greatly,” advises Dr. Whitehill.
What Other Ingredients in Energy Drinks Do Parents Need to Know About?
In addition to excessive amounts of caffeine, energy drinks typically contain other chemicals and ingredients that can affect a teen. “I think it is really important for parents to know, not all energy drinks are the same, even if they have the same amount of caffeine,” Dr. Whitehill cautions. “A lot of these energy drinks are pumped full of sugar. Kids might feel like they are getting an energy boost, but that’s usually temporary and followed by a crash. On top of that, many of these energy drinks contain other chemicals branded as ‘performance’ or ‘fitness’ supplements despite their potential harms.”
If a teen is already prone to any heart or underlying health issues, the effects can be even more dangerous. Teens with heart conditions, including the following, may be more sensitive to caffeine’s effects:
- Congenital heart disease
- A history of heart palpitations or elevated blood pressure
- A history of arrhythmias or rhythm disorders
- Underlying cardiac dysfunction
“We often advise our patients to try to avoid the energy drinks with high doses of caffeine, when possible. If they do use energy drinks, it’s a good idea to drink water or something with electrolytes as well, to avoid dehydration,” says Dr. Whitehill. “For some kids and teens with heart issues or arrhythmias, there is no safe level of caffeine. Every kid is different, so it’s important to talk to your teen’s cardiologist to find out what’s best for them.”
Because teenagers today are under many pressures, from school, sports, friends and all of the different activities they are involved in, it is important to help them understand that there are healthier ways to naturally get the energy they need.
“In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, the best thing teens can do to increase their energy naturally is to stay hydrated and be sure to sleep well and exercise,” advises Dr. Whitehill. “They should drink something with electrolytes in it, and exercise as they normally would. It’s important to have good sleep hygiene, so teens should try and turn off their phone at night. There is nothing better to help with energy levels than a good night’s sleep, exercise and staying well hydrated, with a well-balanced diet—all those things can easily take the place of an energy drink and make you feel better in the long run.”
Children’s Cardiology Appointment Request
To request an appointment, complete the online form. Children’s Cardiology will follow up to schedule your appointment. Call 404-256-2593 to reach the contact center. If your child is experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.
If your child or teen’s heart hurts after drinking caffeine, or if they are experiencing palpitations, dizziness, headaches or any significant symptoms—particularly around physical activity— seek care in an urgent care or even emergency department. Anyone with extreme dizziness, heart racing or fainting, or palpitations when exercising that don’t get better with rest, definitely needs to go straight to the emergency department. At Children’s, we will evaluate their condition which will include an assessment of their heart rhythm.
Why Choose Children’s for Your Teen’s Heart Care?
At Children’s, we have a team of specially trained pediatric cardiologists who know how to care for a teen’s heart. “A pediatric cardiologist, like myself, is someone who has spent their entire adult life talking with young people and understands what pressures they have, what’s important to them and what lifestyle concerns might be contributing to their symptoms,” Dr. Whitehill notes. “Our patients are not just small adults. A 14-year-old’s palpitations are different from those of a 40-year-old, and they have different needs and risks associated with care.”
To get care for your child or teen’s heart, trust the pediatric-trained specialists at Children’s.
Dr. Robert Whitehill is a pediatric cardiologist who serves as the Medical Director of the Electrophysiology Program at the Children’s Heart Center. He specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of heart rhythm disorders, as well as invasive electrophysiology studies and device implantation.
This content is general information and is not specific medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about the health of a child. In case of an urgent concern or emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away. Some physicians and affiliated healthcare professionals on the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta team are independent providers and are not our employees.
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