Cardiovascular Effects of Binge Drinking Among Korean College Students

Binge drinking is a widespread health problem among young adults. Although Korean college students exhibit a high prevalence of binge drinking, they are not fully aware of the risks of such drinking behavior. Moreover, compared to other populations, they may be more vulnerable to adverse effects of binge drinking on cardiovascular (CV) health due to genetic and cultural factors. However, adverse effects of binge drinking on CV health among Korean college students have scarcely been explored. The purpose of the study was to investigate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk associated with binge drinking among Korean college students by comparing CVD risk factors (body mass index [BMI] and blood pressure [BP]) and early CVD risk markers (C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], fibrinogen, and triglycerides [TG]) between a binge drinker group and an abstainer group. The study used a non- experimental, comparative, cross-sectional, and quantitative design and a convenience sample of 82 Korean college students aged 18 to 30 years recruited from a university in South Korea. Results of the study indicated that binge drinking may be associated with subclinical CVD and premature risk of CVD. Korean college student binge drinkers had higher TG levels (80 ± 29 mg/dL, z=2.331; p=.020) than abstainers (64 ± 25 mg/dL), and average number of drinks on one occasion was correlated with higher BMI, TG, and 10-year Framingham Risk Score rs=.331, p=.023; rs=.314, p=.030; rs=.301, p=.040, respectively). Therefore, Korean college students should be made aware that repeated binge drinking may increase their risk of developing CVD later in life. Also, Korean healthcare providers should disseminate information about the potential adverse health effects of binge drinking as well as lifestyle strategies for preserving CV health.