A new study published in JACC reveals that metal exposure from environmental pollution is as detrimental to heart health as traditional risk factors like smoking and diabetes. Researchers urge for new strategies in CVD prevention and stronger environmental regulations.
Exposure to metals from environmental pollution is significantly linked to an increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, comparable to traditional risk factors such as smoking and diabetes, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). This groundbreaking research underscores the urgent need to broaden our approach to CVD prevention by considering environmental factors.
“Our findings highlight the importance of considering metal exposure as a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis and CVD,” lead author Katlyn E. McGraw, a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, said in a news release. “This could lead to new prevention and treatment strategies that target metal exposure.”
The research links metal exposure to an increase in coronary artery calcium (CAC), a predictor of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Atherosclerosis, the underlying condition where arterial plaque buildup occurs, is the precursor to most forms of CVD.
“This groundbreaking study underscores the critical associations of metal exposure from environmental pollution to cardiovascular health,” Harlan M. Krumholz, the Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor at Yale and editor-in-chief of JACC, said in the news release. “It challenges us to broaden our approach to CVD prevention beyond traditional risk factors and to advocate for stronger environmental regulations, and it underscores the need for continued research in this critical area.”
The study evaluated data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), tracking 6,418 men and women aged 45-84 from diverse racial backgrounds.
The researchers analyzed urinary metal levels and their impact on CAC over a decade. They found that higher levels of metals like cadmium, tungsten, uranium and cobalt correlated with significantly higher CAC levels and thus a greater risk of CVD.
The results showed that metal exposure is associated with atherosclerosis by increasing coronary calcification over the long term. For instance, participants with the highest urinary cadmium levels had CAC levels 51% higher at baseline and 75% higher over a decade compared to those with the lowest levels. Similar trends were observed with other metals, such as tungsten, uranium and cobalt.
“Pollution is the greatest environmental risk to cardiovascular health,” McGraw added. “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.”
The analysis also revealed socio-demographic disparities, with higher urinary metal levels observed in older participants, Chinese participants and those with lower educational levels. Participants from Los Angeles exhibited notably higher levels of certain metals, likely due to regional environmental factors.
The study’s findings signify a pivotal shift in understanding the risk factors for CVD and open new avenues for research, public health policy and clinical practice.
“The field of environmental cardiovascular medicine offers an emerging frontier in CVD prevention and treatment. Addressing environmental risk factors like metal exposure will significantly reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease and address long-standing health disparities,” Sadeer Al-Kindi, associate director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, said in an accompanying editorial comment.