Metal Exposure Can Increase Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Columbia Study

Metal intake in the body from the environment is linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study by Columbia University.

Study in US: A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health researchers said that the metal from environmental pollution is associated with cardiovascular disease risk. The metal one absorbs from the environment results in an increased buildup of calcium in the coronary arteries which is almost at the level of traditional risk due to diabetes and smoking.

Katlyn E. McGraw, PhD, a postdoctoral research scientist in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia Mailman School and lead author of the study said, “Our findings highlight the importance of considering metal exposure as a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. This could lead to new prevention and treatment strategies that target metal exposure.”

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The increased buildup in the arteries leads to Atherosclerosis where the arteries become narrowed and hardened. It can lead to restricted blood circulation and can create blood clots. This situation is the underlying cause of strokes, heart attacks, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). The metal exposure also is a risk factor for coronary artery calcium (CAC).

Kathrin Schilling, PhD, assistant professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia Mailman School said, “There are small amounts of these metals found really everywhere but this study truly highlights that even low exposure affects cardiovascular health. Even with efforts to control metal exposure in water, air and food, we need to pay more attention to analyzing toxic metals in populations for prevention and intervention of exposure.”

“Pollution is the greatest environmental risk to cardiovascular health. Given the widespread occurrence of these metals due to industrial and agricultural activities, this study calls for heightened awareness and regulatory measures to limit exposure and protect cardiovascular health," added McGraw.

Other co-authors include - R. Graham Barr and Steven Shea, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Elizabeth R. Brown, University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Maria Tellez-Plaza, National Center for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Joel Kaufman and Richard A. Kronmal, University of Washington, Miranda R. Jones and Wendy S. Post, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Marta Galvez-Fernandez, Ronald A. Glabonj, Irene Martinez-Morata, Ana Navas-Acien, Anne Nigra, Linda Valeri and Arce Domingo-Relloso Columbia Mailman School, and Tiffany R. Sanchez.

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