Metal Exposure Tied to Atherosclerosis Progression
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Sept. 24, 2024 -- Metal exposure from environmental pollution is associated with the progression of atherosclerosis, according to a study published online Sept. 18 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Katlyn E. McGraw, Ph.D., from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, and colleagues examined whether exposure to metals from environmental pollution is related to atherosclerosis progression. The analysis included data from 6,418 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.
The researchers found that for the highest to lowest quartile of urinary cadmium, coronary artery calcium (CAC) levels were 51 percent higher at baseline and 75 percent higher during the 10-year period. Corresponding CAC levels during the 10-year period were 45 percent higher for urinary tungsten, 39 percent higher for uranium, and 47 percent higher for cobalt, with no difference for models with and without adjustment for clinical factors. When adjusting for clinical factors, the corresponding estimates dropped for copper and zinc from 55 to 33 percent and from 85 to 57 percent, respectively. The associations of metals with CAC were similar in magnitude to classical cardiovascular disease risk factors.
"Our findings highlight the importance of considering metal exposure as a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease," McGraw said in a statement. "This could lead to new prevention and treatment strategies that target metal exposure."
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted September 2024
Read this next
Childhood Trauma Tied to Worse Health, Risks Later in Life
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 25, 2024 -- Childhood adversity is associated with worse biological health and an elevated risk for many major health problems, according to a study published in...
Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease Higher for Seniors With Cancer
MONDAY, Sept. 23, 2024 -- The incidence of a composite cardiovascular disease (CVD) end point is increased among older adults with cancer, especially those with metastatic...
High Levels of Well-Being Protect Against Cardiovascular Disease
FRIDAY, Sept. 20, 2024 -- High levels of well-being may protect against the risks for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), according to a study published online Sept. 18 in...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.