Heart Health
Low-level exposure to toxic metals: A risk for clogged arteries?
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Being exposed to even low levels of certain toxic metals may raise a person's risk for clogged arteries, a new study finds.
The study included nearly 1,900 middle-aged people (nearly all male) working in an auto body factory. Researchers tested urine samples to measure the participants' exposure to nine toxic metals in air, water, and food. Next, they checked for early signs of atherosclerosis (the buildup of fatty plaque) in arteries in three different areas: the neck, thigh, and heart. Higher levels of arsenic, cadmium, and titanium exposure were associated with a higher likelihood of early atherosclerosis, even after researchers adjusted for other factors such as smoking and elevated blood pressure and cholesterol. Arsenic can be found in well water but also occurs with cadmium in tobacco and certain foods. Exposure to titanium comes mainly from dental and orthopedic implants, screws, pacemaker encasings, cosmetic products, and some foods. The study was published online Dec. 9, 2021, by the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
Image: Thomas-Soellner/Getty Images
About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
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