Binge Drinking Among Young Men Increases Risk Of Hypertension

Young men who frequently binge drink are at a high risk of developing hypertension, according to recent findings presented at the ASN Kidney Week 2014 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Researchers examined a drinking pattern of consumption that was linked to blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels 0.08 g/dL in men, typically occurring after drinking five drinks within about two hours.

For the study, researchers from Boston Children's Hospital examined data gathered by the Growing UP Today Study (GUTS); this involved children between the ages of eight and 14 at the beginning of the period, starting at 1996.

Participants were tracked with detailed surveys that were administered every one to two years, encompassing 8,605 participants who responded to the 2010 survey.

Findings revealed that young adult men who frequently binged drank were about 1.7 times more likely to deal with hypertension. However, in young adolescent males, there was no connection for this risk and the same was true for women.

"Further study of alcohol use in young adulthood may provide insights into the early development of hypertension," said study author Dr. Twichell, in a news release.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that roughly one in six U.S. adults binge drink about four times a month, consuming eight or more drinks per binge. And though binge drinking is more common among younger adults, it has also been known to occur with those 65 and older.
Along with contributing to a risk of serious health problems or exacerbated conditions, excessive alcohol intake can also increase the risk of unintentional injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence, alcohol poisoning and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).