Heavy Drinking in College May Harm Heart

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One expert expressed little surprise at the study findings.

"During flu season, we know heart attacks peak, because plaque is already sitting there, quietly, until inflammation sets in," noted Dr. Karol Watson, an assistant professor of cardiology and co-director of the Program in Preventive Cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles. "So here, alcohol also gets thrown in as one of many acute 'insults' to our bodies which can provoke inflammation."

"Raising C-reactive protein is definitely not a good thing," added Watson. "And if you have arteriosclerotic plaque, any inflammation -- any acute elevation of C-reactive protein -- can destabilize the situation enough so you could have a heart attack or stroke. Of course, because this study was done with young, healthy people, it's unlikely any of them have underlying vascular disease. But you never know that for sure."

More information

For more on C-reactive protein, head to the American Heart Association.