A lot of teenagers and even kids are getting pumped up on energy drinks.  Cardiologists warn they may be spiked with a lot of caffeine and other ingredients that can be dangerous for youngsters.

  They drink them like water, and often instead of water.
  "Twice a day almost -- one after I wake up, and one before I work out," said Kyle McNicholas.

The caffeine jolt gets McNicholas through workouts, cramming and all nighters.

 "It's a little buzz. But it's more like a pump; you get your heart racing a little bit. It gets you into it," he said.

  "I haven't seen a stroke occur but, in theory, one could, and, in theory, a heart attack could occur because increased heart rate and blood pressure means a great demand on the heart,” said Dr. David Ancona, a cardiologist.

  "I've had maybe two at a time but I don't take it over board," said McNicholas.

  Two may actually mean four.

 "If you look on some of the cans, it says that the serving is two servings in a can," said Ancona.

  Plus, energy drinks can contain ingredients that boost caffeine's effect, packing a more powerful punch to youngsters already stimulant sensitive or with an undiagnosed heart problem.

  "Certainly pre-teens should not be consuming these.  And then we have teenagers.  I think they should understand what's in them and they shouldn't be consuming more than one can in a day," said Ancona.

  "I don't think about it, no," said McNicholas.

  Doctors hope parents, kids and teens spread the word.

 "All my friends do it. They all drink drinks, so I'll warn them," said McNicholas.

  Now he’s relying on his own natural energy.

  Cardiologists also warn some ingredients in certain energy drinks can also lead to severe dehydration, so they should never be used as a substitute for water.