New study: exposure to heavy metals can cause a fatal heart attack

A simple urine test may lead to the prevention of heart attacks in the future: a new study published in the medical journal of the American College of Cardiology reveals that exposure to heavy metals such as cadmium, uranium and copper may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death in the world. The study joins previous studies that pointed to the health risks of exposure to heavy metals, which include neurological damage, cancer and damage to the reproductive system.

6,418 adults aged 45 to 84 from major cities in the United States such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago participated in the study. The participants, who did not have cardiovascular disease at the start of the study, provided urine samples that were tested for heavy metal levels, while the calcium build-up in their heart arteries was tested over a ten-year period.

One of the most prominent findings in the study is that the accumulation of calcium in the arteries – a process that leads to atherosclerosis and reduces blood flow – was significantly higher among participants with high levels of heavy metals in their urine. Atherosclerosis, which is a chronic and inflammatory disease, can lead to life-threatening conditions such as stroke, coronary heart disease, cardiac arrest and even death.

The study showed that those with high cadmium levels in their urine had 51% higher calcium levels at the beginning of the study and 75% higher over a decade. Also, high levels of the metals tungsten, uranium and cobalt were associated with an increase of between 39% and 47% in the accumulation of calcium in the arteries during the period. In addition, it was found that people with high levels of copper and zinc in their urine had a 33% to 57% increase in calcium accumulation in the arteries over the ten years.

Dr. Katelyn E. McGraw, one of the authors of the study, emphasized that the research findings indicate that exposure to metals should be taken into account as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This is especially so since the relationship between heavy metals and arterial calcification was not known until now.

The study adds to the existing evidence indicating that environmental pollution, and in particular exposure to metals, is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The researchers recommend taking broad public health measures, such as reducing the permissible limits of metals in air and water, and strengthening enforcement to reduce metal pollution, especially in areas with high exposure.

Exposure to metals can result from a variety of everyday sources such as smoking cigarettes, drinking contaminated water, exposure to industrial pollutants, and even consumption of certain food or consumer products containing heavy metals. The study notes that major sources of exposure to metals include agriculture and industry, chemical fertilizers, battery manufacturing, mining and nuclear energy production. This exposure can occur not only through the air and water, but also through everyday consumer products.

Although additional studies are needed to deepen the understanding of metal exposure and its long-term effects, the current study supports the urgent need to reduce exposure to metals in the environment, as part of a broad effort to improve public health and reduce mortality rates from cardiovascular disease. It is also possible that a simple urine test in the future, which will detect the levels of the metal, will be able to detect those who are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.