Relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and binge drinking among college students in South Korea

This study determined cardiovascular risk among Korean college students with a history of binge drinking. Variables included alcohol consumption, cardiovascular risk factors (increased blood pressure, body mass index, lipid values) and markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen), and 10-year Framingham risk scores. Korean college student binge drinkers had higher triglyceride levels and higher ratios of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than did abstainers. Average number of drinks on one occasion was correlated with higher body mass index, triglyceride level, ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 10-year Framingham risk score. The findings indicate that binge drinking may be associated with premature cardiovascular disease risk.