Binge drinking among college students poses some serious, long-lasting health risks-according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
And the effects of drinking large amounts of alcohol during college-age years last long until adulthood, according to the study's findings.
Four years of drinking heavily between the ages of 18 and 25 could lead to a permanent increase in the risk for heart attack, stroke and atherosclerosis---researchers at the University of Illinois found.
The findings were based on data compiled from 38 young adults who do not smoke.
Researchers divided the group into those who do not drink and those who are binge drinkers. Binge drinking was defined as having five or more servings of alcohol in two hours, at least six times a month and for about four years.
The participants' blood vessels were then evaluated via ultrasound imaging.
And researchers found that the group of non-drinkers had more elastic blood vessels compared to the binge-grouping group.
The lack of elasticity in the blood vessels of the binge drinkers translates into decreased vascular function---a characteristic that leads to cardiovascular problems, the study's authors reported.
"Regular heavy episodic alcohol use (or "binge drinking") is one of the most serious public health problems confronting American colleges," said Melissa Goslawski, the study's lead author and researcher in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Illinois.
"This study adds to a growing chain of evidence that suggests that, in contrast to regular and moderate alcohol consumption, binge drinking may be a risk factor for future cardiovascular disease."
The researchers acknowledged that the sample size was small and that more research is needed to better determine the long-lasting effects of binge drinking.
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