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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 22, 2014 3:15 PM IST
According to a study that will be presented at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2014 next month at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, binge drinking at a young age could raise the likelihood of hypertension in men.
The study led by Sarah Twichell from Boston Children's Hospital analysed data from the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS). GUTS is a study on children between 8 to 14 years of age initiated 1996. They were followed with detailed surveys every 1 to 2 years. The research team analysed information on a total of 8,605 participants who completed the 2010 survey. They found young adult men who drank frequent over the past year had a 1.7-times increased risk of of developing hypertension. However, they found no no significant association between binge drinking or quantity of alcohol use and hypertension in young adolescent males after they entered adulthood. (Read: Beat hypertension (high BP) with radish or mooli)
The study also suggested that low to moderate alcohol consumption in early adulthood is linked to decreased the risk of hypertension in females. While studies have found that drinking alcohol can raise blood pressure in adults, little is known about the links between alcohol use during adolescence and hypertension. (Read: Herbal remedies for hypertension)
In young women, binge drinking was not associated with hypertension. Light and moderate alcohol use in young adult women was associated with a significantly reduced likelihood of hypertension. (Read: Top 10 myths about hypertension busted)
Here are 10 ways hypertension or High BP affects your body
Affects the blood vessels
In hypertension the wall of the blood vessels lose their elasticity and become firm or hard, a condition called arteriosclerosis. Because of the constant pressure the walls of the artery become weak and over time, may cause a part of it to bulge. This forms an aneurysm (distension or a pouch-like structure in the vessel wall) which can rupture and is invariably fatal.
Fails your heart
High blood pressure thickens and damages the lining of the blood vessels of the heart.The damaged blood vessels are prone to the formation of clots which can grow and block the blood supply to the heart. This can reduce the efficiency of the heart and also damage its tissues leading to angina (chest pain). Increased blood pressure also increases the workload of the heart.This causes thickening of its muscle wall especially the left ventricle (left ventricular hypertrophy)which in turn compromises the heart s ability to pump enough blood to the different organs eventually leading to heart failure.
Affects the brain
Hypertension increases the risk of brain haemorrhage (stroke) by almost 10 times. According to a research, even if your blood pressure (BP) is slightly elevated, you may be prone to a stroke. In fact high BP is responsible for 80% of all heart attacks and stroke. Increased blood pressure weakens the small vessels in the brain causing them to rupture. Interruption of blood flow to the brain may also increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Read more about 10 ways hypertension or High BP affects your body
With inputs from PTI
Photo source: Getty images
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