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Sep 26, 2024 04:59 PM IST
Research from Columbia University highlights the link between environmental metal exposure and cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis.
A Columbia University study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that exposure to metals in the environment increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Metal exposure leads to calcium build-up in the coronary arteries, known as atherosclerosis, which narrows the artery walls and reduces blood flow, potentially leading to serious cardiovascular diseases. This can lead to stroke, cardiac arrest and many other such diseases. Environmental pollutants pose a significant threat to health, but according to the researchers, the relationship of metals with coronary artery calcification is relatively unknown.
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Coronary artery calcification
When examining several metal levels in the urine of study participants, a strong association was found between metal exposure and increased coronary calcium build-up, an indicator of atherosclerosis. High levels of non-essential metals such as cadmium, tungsten and uranium in the body were strongly associated with coronary artery calcification over 10 years. Participants who had higher levels of cadmium in the body had 51% higher coronary calcium levels at baseline and 75% higher over the decade.
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Pollution is a big threat to heart health
This suggested that pollution is a major risk to heart health. Metal-induced cardiovascular problems are on the rise due to widespread metal contamination from various agricultural and industrial activities, including fertilizers, battery manufacturing, oil production, welding, mining, and nuclear power generation. One of the other sources of cadmium is tobacco smoke. The researchers stressed the need to address environmental metal hazards as heavy metals are also found in everyday water. Heart disease is a global concern, and understanding how environmental metals increase the risk of serious health conditions will help in formulating public health strategies.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor for any questions about any medical condition.
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