Binge drinking in early adulthood is associated with an increased likelihood of high blood pressure in males, according to a new study.
Researchers also found that low to moderate alcohol use in early adulthood is associated with a decreased likelihood 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.
Researchers led by Sarah Twichell from Boston Children's Hospital analysed data from the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS), a study of children who were 8 to 14 years old in 1996 and were followed with detailed surveys every 1 to 2 years.
The team examined information on 8,605 participants who completed the 2010 survey.
Researchers found that in young adult men, frequent binge drinking over the past year was associated with a 1.7-times increased likelihood of developing hypertension.
In young adolescent males, there was no significant association between binge drinking or quantity of alcohol use and hypertension after they entered adulthood.
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.
The study will be presented at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2014 next month at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
