A cross-sectional analysis of binge drinking levels in US myocardial infarction survivors

Background: Although binge drinking is associated with higher myocardial infarction (MI) incidence, little is known about binge drinking patterns in US MI survivors, at elevated risk for recurrent MIs. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of and what factors are associated with binge drinking in US MI survivors. Methods: We compared the prevalence of binge drinking between MI survivors and those without a MI history in 2016-2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Logistic regression was used to examine which sociodemographic factors are associated with binge drinking in these groups. Results: 8.7% of MI survivors (1.1 million people nationwide) were binge drinkers. Among MI survivors; being young, male, Hispanic, having higher income, and having lower educational attainment were associated with increased binge drinking. Conclusions: The sizable number of US MI survivors who binge drink suggests interventions to reduce this behavior are warranted, especially among specific sociodemographic groups of this population. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A study found that 1.1 million MI survivors in the US (8.7%) are binge drinkers. Factors associated with binge drinking in MI survivors include being young, male, Hispanic, having higher income, and having lower educational attainment.