No young person should have to fight for their life just because they want to feel better and get stronger. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to Jazmin from Texas – after drinking a beverage loved by millions.
Read her heartbreaking story below, and don’t forget to share the article so more people can be aware of the risks.
Suddenly felt dizzy
Back in November 2024, a 20-year-old woman’s gym workout turned into a life-threatening situation after consuming a popular energy drink, leaving her fighting for her life.
Jazmin Garza, from Texas, was in Iowa with her boyfriend, Isaac Ayala, when she experienced a terrifying collapse after taking just one-third of a popular energy drink, which contains 200 mg of caffeine — more than double the amount in a cup of coffee.
While working out, Jazmin suddenly felt dizzy, light-headed, and pale. She sat down to steady herself, but before she knew it, she started seizing uncontrollably.
In an emotional statement, Jazmin shared her experience: “I don’t usually drink caffeinated drinks at all. I hadn’t been to the gym for a while and wanted a good workout, so I drank a third of an energy drink”.
Isaac quickly realized her heart had stopped, and she wasn’t breathing. In a panic, he began CPR until paramedics arrived and managed to restart her heart.
Doctors later revealed that Jazmin went into cardiac arrest multiple times, and at one point, her heart stopped for a full five minutes.
The oxygen deprivation caused damage to her kidneys, lungs, and heart, leaving her in critical condition. Jazmin was placed on life support to aid in her recovery, and doctors warned her family that it would take a miracle for her to survive, let alone be the same person she was before.
Doctors told her family that Jazmin would ”need a miracle to survive—and return to the Jazmin we once knew.”
No clear explanation
After two weeks in the hospital, Jazmin made a miraculous recovery, but she was still left with questions about what caused the event.
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Isaac shared on a GoFundMe page for Jazmin that she was placed on ”three different life-support systems,” which included ECMO, a machine that helps oxygenate the blood, dialysis to filter waste from her kidneys, and another machine to regulate her oxygen levels.
Despite undergoing numerous tests, doctors found no clear explanation for why her heart had stopped. Jazmin suspects that the energy drink, combined with a possible undiagnosed heart condition, may have contributed to her collapse.
”They would run a lot of tests on my heart and all the tests came out fine. They couldn’t see any issues with my heart or why it happened or what might have caused it. I had no prior issues or family history of heart issues. Doctors still don’t know why this happened,” Jazmin said.
The incident has made her reflect deeply on the potential dangers of energy drinks, which, though marketed as a quick fix for energy and focus, carry significant risks—especially for young people or those with underlying heart conditions.
Energy drinks have been linked to heart rhythm issues, cardiac arrest, and even mental health issues like anxiety and depression, particularly in those who consume them regularly.
Dangerous side effects
Jazmin now says she’ll stay far away from energy drinks and encourages others to listen to their bodies and seek medical advice if they have concerns, as early detection could prevent life-threatening situations like hers.
The whole ordeal has changed her perspective on life. Jazmin feels grateful for a second chance and urges others to be cautious, especially when it comes to products that can have dangerous side effects. Despite the emotional strain , Jazmin’s recovery has been nothing short of a miracle.
For Jazmin, it’s a reminder to cherish life and take every opportunity to be healthy—something she now values even more deeply after surviving her near-death experience.
However, Jazmin’s journey isn’t over yet. According to her boyfriend Isaac, who created a GoFundMe page, the couple is still overwhelmed with medical bills, and the doctors still haven’t determined the main cause of her cardiac arrest – which of course is worrying.
”We also lost our jobs because of all the time we’ve had to take off due to this incident. We’re humbly asking for any help we can get to cover these medical bills and hopefully make it back to Texas to see our family. Any contribution helps, and we truly appreciate every dollar,” Isaac writes.
