Relationships Between Current and Past Binge Drinking and Systolic Blood Pressure in Young Adults

Abstract

A B S T R A C TPurpose: Heavy episodic (i.e., "binge") drinking (i.e., !five drinks/occasion) is highly prevalent among young adults; those who binge do so four times per month on average, consuming nine drinks on average on each occasion. Although it is well established that chronic heavy drinking (!two alcoholic beverages per day) increases the risk of hypertension, the relationship between binge drinking and blood pressure is not well described. Our aim was to describe the relationship between frequency of binge drinking, both current (at age 24 years) and past (at age 20 years), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) at age 24 years. Methods: Participants (n ¼ 756) from the longitudinal Nicotine Dependence in Teens study reported alcohol consumption at ages 20 and 24 years and had SBP measured at age 24 years. We examined the association between binge drinking and SBP using multiple linear regression, controlling for sex, race/ ethnicity, education, monthly drinking in high school, cigarette smoking, and body mass index. Results: Compared to nonbinge drinkers, SBP at age 24 years was 2.61 [.41, 4.82] mm Hg higher among current monthly bingers and 4.03 [1.35, 6.70] mm Hg higher among current weekly bingers. SBP at age 24 years was 2.90 [.54, 5.25] mm Hg higher among monthly bingers at age 20 years and 3.64 [.93, 6.35] mm Hg higher among weekly bingers at age 20 years, compared to nonbinge drinkers. Conclusions: Frequent binge drinking at ages 20 and 24 years is associated with higher SBP at age 24 years and may be implicated in the development of hypertension.

MicroRNA‐21 Contributes to Reduced Microvascular Function in Binge Drinking Young Adults

“…We previously reported that young adults (18 to 25 years) with a history of binge drinking (mean of 4 years) had reduced flow‐mediated vasodilation and endothelium‐independent (nitroglycerin) dilations compared to age‐matched abstainers (Goslawski et al., ). Others have also reported that, in young adults, a binge pattern of drinking was associated with higher blood pressure (Wellman et al., ), increased carotid intimal thickness (Pletcher et al., ), and increased coronary calcification (van Trijp et al., ). These findings suggest that binge drinking may be associated with premature CV risk in young adults.…”

Cardiovascular Consequences of Binge Drinking: An Integrative Review with Implications for Advocacy, Policy, and Research

“…Subjects were recruited in 1999 (mean age 12), and follow‐up assessments were measured in 2007 to 2008 (mean age 20) and 2011 to 2014 (mean age 24). Among 24‐year‐old subjects, both monthly and weekly binge drinkers had SBP values 2.61 and 4.03 mm Hg greater, respectively, than nonbinge drinkers (similar BP increases were found in the 20‐year‐old subjects) (Wellman et al., ). Similarly, our group reported that SBP was greater in young adult binge drinkers (120 ± 2 mm Hg) compared with abstainers (114 ± 3 mm Hg), although these differences were not significant (Goslawski et al., ).…”

“…Wellman and colleagues () examined the relationship between BP and current and past binge drinking among young adults (mean age 24). Binge drinking was defined as consuming 5 or more drinks on 1 occasion.…”

Effects of Repeated Binge Drinking on Blood Pressure Levels and Other Cardiovascular Health Metrics in Young Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011‐2014

“…Data also support that a history of binge drinking in young adulthood is associated with higher BP values. Wellman and colleagues examined the relationship between BP and current and past binge drinking among young adults (men and women, mean age 24 years) 27. Binge drinking was defined as consuming 5 or more drinks on 1 occasion.…”

“…Over the past decade, long‐standing differences in drinking patterns between men and women have been converging, such that prevalence rates of binge drinking are rising in women while they remain unchanged in men 36. Studies that have examined the effects of binge drinking on cardiovascular parameters, such as BP have included men and women, but not all of these have determined the potential interaction effect of sex 2, 27. More research is needed to ascertain sex differences in the effects of binge drinking on the cardiovascular system and metabolic parameters in young adult men and women.…”