An energy drink should not be portrayed as a guaranteed cause of stroke, but excessive stimulant consumption is not a healthy habit—particularly for people with cardiovascular risk factors.
3. Heavy Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is a much more established cardiovascular concern than many viral posts acknowledge.
Excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, cardiomyopathy, and other conditions associated with cardiovascular disease.
Alcohol can also contribute to atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm that can increase the risk of an ischemic stroke because blood clots can form in the heart and travel to the brain.
This does not mean that every alcoholic drink causes a stroke.
The relationship between alcohol and cardiovascular health is complicated and depends on the amount consumed, drinking pattern, individual health, and other risk factors.
But heavy or binge drinking is clearly associated with important health risks.
If someone already has high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, liver disease, or another medical condition, their healthcare professional can provide individualized advice about alcohol.
4. Highly Caffeinated or Very Sugary Coffee Drinks
Coffee itself should not automatically be placed in the same category as unhealthy beverages.
In fact, research on coffee and cardiovascular health is considerably more nuanced than social-media headlines often suggest.
The concern may be the way coffee is prepared.
Some specialty coffee beverages can contain large amounts of added sugar, syrups, whipped cream, and high-calorie ingredients.
If consumed frequently, these drinks can contribute significant calories and added sugar to the diet.
Large amounts of caffeine can also temporarily increase blood pressure in some people, particularly those who are not accustomed to caffeine.
So the issue isn't necessarily “coffee is dangerous.”
Instead, consider the total caffeine, sugar, and calories in the beverage.
Plain or lightly sweetened coffee is nutritionally very different from a large dessert-style coffee drink loaded with syrup and cream.