South Korean researchers have found that men who are binge drinkers and have hypertension (high blood pressure) have a much greater risk of death from cardiovascular disease, such as in a heart attack or stroke.

An autopsy determined that a Tulare County jail inmate who collapsed Tuesday died of a stroke due to hypertension, the Sheriffs Department said.

It's no secret that high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Nor should it come as a surprise that binge drinking isn't the healthiest habit. But a new study suggests that combining the two may add up to double the trouble -- and much more, in some cases.

If you have high blood pressure, binge drinking may severely increase your risk of dying from a stroke or heart disease. In a South Korean study, middle-aged male binge drinkers had a 4- to 12-fold increased risk of fatal cardiovascular event. It is unclear whether the results can be generalized to other populations.

THURSDAY, Aug. 19 (HealthDay News) -- If you have high blood pressure, binge drinking may greatly increase your risk of dying from a stroke or heart attack, South Korean researchers report.