Which Drinks Can Raise Cardiovascular Risk?
The claim that a heart surgeon has issued a blanket warning about “certain drinks” needs context. The strongest evidence points to specific types and amounts of beverages, rather than all drinks.
Sugary soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages: Regular consumption is associated with higher cardiovascular risk, as well as increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
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www.heart.org
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Energy drinks: These can contain very high amounts of caffeine. The American Heart Association’s 2026 scientific statement says higher caffeine doses, particularly those found in energy drinks and energy shots, may increase blood pressure and contribute to abnormal heart rhythms.
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American Heart Association
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Heavy or binge alcohol consumption: Consistently associated with hypertension, coronary disease, stroke, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure.
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professional.heart.org
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Alcohol marketed as “heart healthy”: The American Heart Association does not recommend starting wine or another alcoholic drink for cardiovascular benefits.
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www.heart.org
What about ordinary coffee?
Interestingly, current evidence doesn’t support saying that coffee is generally dangerous for the heart. The 2026 AHA statement says up to about 400 mg of caffeine per day (roughly 3–5 cups of regular coffee) is considered safe for most adults, although individual tolerance varies.
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www.heart.org
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Bottom line: The biggest concerns are sugary drinks, high-caffeine energy drinks, and excessive alcohol, not ordinary water, tea, or moderate unsweetened coffee. If you share the specific drinks named in the original post, I can check whether the surgeon’s warning is supported by evidence.
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