Heavy Metals Associated with Heart Disease

An article on CNN recently reported in a new study that exposure to metals such as cadmium, uranium and copper may be linked to cardiovascular disease, the world’s most common cause of death. Exposure to heavy metals has been linked to cancer, neurological disorders, reproductive and developmental disorders. According to findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, exposure to metals (which can come from smoking, drinking water, pollution, certain foods and consumer products, etc.) is now also found to be associated with calcium buildup in coronary arteries.

Cardiologists are Concerned

 Cardiologists have commented in the article that “The magnitude of these associations is noteworthy because they are comparable to those observed with classic risk factors such as smoking and diabetes.” Calcium deposits in coronary arteries lead to  atherosclerosis, a chronic  inflammatory cardiovascular disease characterized by narrowing of the arterial walls and resulting reduced blood flow. Partial or complete blockage of the arteries can lead to conditions such as stroke and coronary artery disease, which in turn can lead to arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, or heart failure. The results of the study highlighted the importance of considering metal exposure as a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.  

Coronary Calcium Scores

The research team in the study analyzed data from 6,418 adults aged 45 to 84 years who  participated in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Between July 2000 and August 2002, participants provided urine samples and had their arterial calcium levels measured at that time and 4 more times over a 10-year period. The participants had no clinical cardiovascular disease. A normal coronary artery calcium score is zero, meaning there is no calcification in the arteries, while a score of 1 to 99 suggests mild  coronary artery disease. At baseline, the average coronary artery calcium level was 6.3. The authors found that compared with participants with the lowest urinary cadmium levels, participants with the highest urinary cadmium levels at the start of the study had 51 percent higher calcification levels and 75 percent higher over the 10-year period. Higher levels of tungsten, uranium, copper, zinc and cobalt in urine was also associated with higher coronary artery calcification levels.

Heavy Metals Associated with Heart Disease

All these results remained even after the authors took into account sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle aspects, and cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, blood pressure, and antihypertensive medications. However, while the study shows an association, it does not prove causation. The study authors speculate that the presence of heavy metals may promote arteriosclerosis in part through increased inflammation.

Sources of Heavy Metals

The report explained that there is widespread environmental contamination with cadmium, tungsten, uranium, cobalt, copper, and zinc from agricultural and industrial uses such as fertilizers, batteries, oil extraction, mining, and nuclear  production. Experts say a healthy lifestyle with a nutritious, balanced diet and exercise may help limit  exposure to metals or reduce their potential effects. It is important to avoid metal exposure in your employment by using the proper protective gear.

Research has shown that contamination of heavy metals mainly occurs from drinking water, smoking, processed foods and environmental sources (3). Heavy metal toxicity has been shown to cause cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and neurologic damage. There is also some evidence for them to result in an increased risk of diabetes and cancer (3). Exposure to multiple heavy metals may exert increased risks of hyperactivity/inattention disorder (ADHD) (4). Previous studies have found that organic and regular dark chocolate may be contaminated with lead and cadmium.

Heavy Metal Health Effects

The conditions that may be associated with heavy metal toxicity might include but aren’t limited to:

If you have concerns of heavy metal exposure or toxicity we suggest that you book a free consultation to have your levels checked. Our office here in Gainesville, FL offers clinically proven treatments available to enhance the elimination of these toxic metals. This involves checking for heavy metal levels in the urine. If they are elevated, we are able to provide specific treatments. These treatments allow the kidneys to excrete and eliminate heavy metals by a significant percentage from the body. You are welcome to schedule a free consultation to learn about your options.

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References

1. Martinez-Morata I, Schilling K, Glabonjat RA, Domingo-Relloso A, Mayer M, McGraw KE, Galvez Fernandez M, Sanchez TR, Nigra AE, Kaufman JD, Vaidya D, Jones MR, Bancks MP, Barr RG, Shimbo D, Post WS, Valeri L, Shea S, Navas-Acien A. Association of Urinary Metals With Cardiovascular Disease Incidence and All-Cause Mortality in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Circulation. 2024 Sep 3;150(10):758-769.
2. Rogers, Kristen. Heavy metal exposure could increase cardiovascular disease risk, study finds. Published on CNN at 12:45 PM EDT, Fri September 20, 2024. https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/20/health/heavy-metal-exposure-cardiovascular-disease-wellness/index.html
3. Rehman K, Fatima F, Waheed I, Akash MSH. Prevalence of exposure of heavy metals and their impact on health consequences. J Cell Biochem. 2018 Jan;119(1):157-184.
4. Huang CC, Pan SC, Chin WS, Hsu JF, Guo YL. Urinary heavy metals and attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms of preschool children: a mixed-exposure analysis. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2023 Dec;268:115714.