Study: Heavy drinking may cause long-term heart problems
by Michael Bott | The University of California - Davis California Aggie
Issue date: 5/9/07 Section: News
(U-WIRE) DAVIS, Calif. — According to a recent Minnesota study, the side effects of Cinco de Mayo tequila shots may linger past the next day's hangover. Binge drinking among college-aged students, researchers find, may result in a greater risk of heart disease down the road.
Over the course of the study, a small group of students at the College of Saint Benedict was divided into three categories: Non-drinkers, moderate drinkers (two to five drinks, one to two days a week) and heavy drinkers (five-plus drinks two-plus days a week, or three-plus drinks three days a week). After surveying subjects on their medical history and daily routines, researchers measured the levels of C-reactive protein in the subjects, a biological marker for inflammation associated with heart disease and sudden death due to heart failure.
Heavy drinkers, the study found, had significantly higher levels of CRP in their blood. While there have been similar studies in the past, previous cases dealt largely with older subjects.
"These students may be setting themselves up for an increased risk for cardiovascular disease," said Elizabeth Donovan, lead researcher of the study and an undergraduate at the college, in a press release. "This highlights an additional reason to be concerned about heavy drinking in college-aged individuals."
The study, presented at the American Heart Association's 8th Annual Conference on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, was preliminary, and the AHA acknowledged that more research needed to be done due to the study's small sample size.
Many experts, however, including members of the AHA, are not entirely convinced, as a multitude of factors—weight, diet, genetics, medication and smoking, to name a few—can influence CRP levels.
A percentage of students who choose to drink alcohol at UC Davis may fit the description of a "heavy drinker."
UC Davis senior Ryan Fukumitsu said he typically goes out two days each week and consumes more than five drinks when he does. He would only be concerned about health problems if his habits were long-term, he said.
Over the course of the study, a small group of students at the College of Saint Benedict was divided into three categories: Non-drinkers, moderate drinkers (two to five drinks, one to two days a week) and heavy drinkers (five-plus drinks two-plus days a week, or three-plus drinks three days a week). After surveying subjects on their medical history and daily routines, researchers measured the levels of C-reactive protein in the subjects, a biological marker for inflammation associated with heart disease and sudden death due to heart failure.
Heavy drinkers, the study found, had significantly higher levels of CRP in their blood. While there have been similar studies in the past, previous cases dealt largely with older subjects.
"These students may be setting themselves up for an increased risk for cardiovascular disease," said Elizabeth Donovan, lead researcher of the study and an undergraduate at the college, in a press release. "This highlights an additional reason to be concerned about heavy drinking in college-aged individuals."
The study, presented at the American Heart Association's 8th Annual Conference on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, was preliminary, and the AHA acknowledged that more research needed to be done due to the study's small sample size.
Many experts, however, including members of the AHA, are not entirely convinced, as a multitude of factors—weight, diet, genetics, medication and smoking, to name a few—can influence CRP levels.
A percentage of students who choose to drink alcohol at UC Davis may fit the description of a "heavy drinker."
UC Davis senior Ryan Fukumitsu said he typically goes out two days each week and consumes more than five drinks when he does. He would only be concerned about health problems if his habits were long-term, he said.
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