5 Drinks That Trigger Heart Attacks

Although we tend to hear a lot about heart health as it relates to food, researchers are now finding that what we drink matters too. There are some drinks that, especially if consumed in excessive amounts, can actually trigger a heart attack.

Coffee

Although drinking just one cup of coffee per day actually lowers your risk of heart disease, if you overdo it, the lipids (fats) in your blood can increase to dangerous levels, one study found. So how much is too much? According to researchers, having six cups of coffee per day or more is dangerous for your heart.

Milkshakes

Did somebody say fats? If you drink plenty of milkshakes, you may want to rethink your drink menu. Milkshakes contain high levels of both saturated fats as well as a large amount of refined sugar, both of which wear on your heart over time.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a bit like coffee when we’re talking about heart health. A little bit, even on the daily, is fine. However, studies show that women especially are at a significantly higher risk of heart disease if they overindulge on the regular. And a little bit means four ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits, and that’s it.

Soda

This one’s anything but a shocker. In fact, soda doesn’t seem to have any health benefits, ever. But for your heart, the news is even worse, because research has shown that high-sugar drinks increase your risk of heart disease. How much is too much? Any at all is not recommended, but especially not more than 12 ounces per day, which raises your levels of blood fats to dangerous highs.

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are not an energy boost without consequences, it turns out, and there are much healthier ways to boost your energy levels, such as increasing your protein intake, as well as your Vitamin B levels. Energy drinks raise your blood pressure and can cause abnormal heart rhythms, especially if you combine them with alcohol or other drugs. If you’ve ever looked at an energy drink and thought that even the advertising and logos on the can looked a bit frightening, you can now consider them a giant red flag.