Metal exposure from environmental pollution is associated with increased calcium buildup in the coronary arteries at a level comparable to traditional risk factors like smoking and diabetes, according to a study published today in JACC , the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology. The findings support that metals in the body are associated with the progression of plaque buildup in the arteries and potentially provide a new strategy for managing and preventing atherosclerosis. Our findings highlight the importance of considering metal exposure as a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis and CVD.
This could lead to new prevention and treatment strategies that target metal exposure." Katlyn E. McGraw, PhD, postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and lead author of the study Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the arteries become narrowed and hardened due to a buildup of plaque.
This can restrict blood flow and cause clots to form. It's an underlying cause of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease (PAD), the most common forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Atherosclerosis causes coronary artery calcium (CAC), which can be measured non-invasively to predict future cardiac events.
"This groundbreaking study underscores the critical associations of metal exposure from environmental pollution to cardiovascular health," said Harlan M. Krumholz, the Harold H. Hines, Jr.
Professor at Yale and Editor.