Binge drinking doesn’t mean a drink or two, more like ten or twenty – not exactly “drinking socially.” And not exactly the safest for your health; consuming copious amounts of booze at one sitting has been linked to alcohol poisoning, memory problems, anxiety, bladder ruptures, and even sudden death.
And a new study in the journal Stroke says binge drinking, in combination with high blood pressure, may also heighten the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
High blood pressure by itself is already associated with heart disease and stroke.
The research followed 6,100 South Koreans age 55 and up for two decades; teetotalers with normal blood pressure and men with high blood pressure who occasionally consume more than six drinks in one sitting.
Results found the binge drinkers had double the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. But the heaviest drinkers, people downing 12 or more drinks at one time, had nearly five times the risk of heart trouble. And the risk jumped to 12-fold if the extreme drinkers had severe high blood pressure.
The American Heart Association defines normal blood pressure as 120/80 mmHG or below. High blood pressure is classified as 140/90 mmHG and over. And severe high blood pressure is considered 168/110 mmHG or higher.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is typically treated with improved diet – especially reducing salt and saturated fat intake – exercise, and medication.
Image credit: chrismetcalf
You see it a lot in comedies. The nerdy guy goes to ask the hot chick out. He gets anxious. Sweat beads up on his forehead. And he quickly bolts into the bathroom.
Sure, devouring a pint of triple-chocolate ice cream will make anyone feel better, but we’re not talking about “comfort food” here.
