From Thursday to early Sunday, many college students go out with friends, have a good time and drink until they forget about their stressful lives.

But they could being raising their risk of heart problems later in life, according to American Heart Association research recently featured in Time magazine.

The AHA credits cardiovascular problems with drinking excessively, saying it can double the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), causing cardiovascular problems, AHA research shows.

Dr. Penny Mullins, a staff physician at Student Health Services, said C-reactive protein is a marker for inflammation, which may increase the risk of diabetes and likeliness of cardiovascular problems.

The study done by the AHA in the Times article noted that 25 college students filled out surveys evaluating habits that increase CRP levels.

Mullins, who has been board certified in family practice for 11 years, said that other potentially damaging habits include smoking, lack of exercise, poor eating habits, lack of sleep, persistent stress and drug use.

The AHA identified each of the 25 students as either “heavy” drinkers or “moderate” drinkers. Drinking heavily includes three or more alcoholic beverages at least three days a week or five drinks two days a week. Drinking in moderation includes two to five drinks, one to two times a week.

These studies proved that the heavy drinkers had twice as much CRP levels compared to moderate drinkers, which led them to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

On the other hand, Mullins said students should not focus on their CRP levels.

“It’s better to focus on the here and now being saved; making good decisions, good diet, good exercise, sleep, healthy way of handling stress,” Mullins said. “All of those things will benefit you and your heart.”

Mullins also noted that drinking in moderation could actually be beneficial.

“Studies indicate that having a glass of red wine might actually be cardio-protective,” she said.

This has to do with the antioxidant properties in red wine, she said, adding that brightly colored vegetables also have these antioxidants.

“I’d reach for the good diet before the wine,” Mullins said. “It’s not that all alcohol is bad, it’s how we use it.”

For college students, it’s often the wrong way. Between 18 and 22 years old, binge drinking is at its peak but the hangover doesn’t stop in college.

“In the here and now alcohol is a central nervous system depressant,” Mullins said. “And so when people drink they say ‘oh I feel social and fun and outgoing’ and what happens is it suppresses their ambitions and their better judgment.”

Damage can be done to the liver and the well-known hangover is also damaging, she said. Blood sugar lowers, causing dizziness, stomach pains can lead to stomach ulcers and dehydration takes place. All this also increases the risks of having colon or liver cancer.

In order to prevent these problems now and in the future, Mullins recommends that if students think they have an alcohol, smoking or drug problem, the University does have an alcohol and drug counselor free of charge and confidential at the wellness connection.

Carrie Dowling-Arndt, alcohol and other drug counselor at the University, said college students have an opportunity now to prevent and end issues with alcohol and drug use, free of charge.

“That doesn’t happen outside of the University setting,” Dowling-Arndt said.

She said that currently she has students every hour on the hour come in for counseling and that she does not just try to push them away from alcohol and drug abuse.

“I don’t try to move them to just don’t drink don’t do drugs but to try to move them towards a position on wellness,” Dowling-Arndt said.

Dowling-Arndt recalls seeing a student in his early 20s who sought counseling following a heart attack due to excessive drinking.

“It was kind of disconcerting that he was still drinking,” Dowling-Arndt said.

While heart problems may be relevant for college students later in life, the here and now is also a major factor. Both Mullins and Dowling-Arndt suggest taking action now.

Dowling-Arndt said even as soon as this summer is a good time to start those changes.

“It gives you the summer time to kind of get really strong in new habits and new activities, so when you come back in the fall that you feel more secure with those changes,” Dowling-Arndt said.