American Heart Association statement determines that chronic exposure to lead, cadmium, and arsenic increases risk of cardiovascular disease

On June 12, the American Heart Association released a statement on heavy metals and their effect on heart disease. Co-authored and chaired by Gervasio A. Lamas, MD, FAHA, Chairman of Medicine and Chief of the Columbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, the statement gives cardiologists and scientists new targets to prevent heart disease.

“It’s crucial to filter your water supply and have filters in your AC that can properly filter out small particles containing heavy metals, among many other ways to reduce your exposure to these metals,” explains Dr. Lamas.

Chronic exposure to low levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic through commonly used household items, air, water, soil, and food is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

“Large population studies indicate that even low-level exposure to contaminant metals is near-universal and contributes to the burden of cardiovascular disease, especially heart attacks, stroke, disease of the arteries to the legs, and premature death from cardiac causes,” says Dr. Lamas.

Statement Highlights:

• Around the world, most people are regularly exposed to low or moderate levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in the environment, increasing risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease, according to a new American Heart Association statement.

• These metals, considered contaminant metals, have no function in the human body. They are found in groundwater, water pipes, paint, tobacco products, fertilizer, plastic, electronics, gasoline, batteries, some foods, and other commonly used items.

• Lead, cadmium, and arsenic are absorbed via the respiratory and/or gastrointestinal tract. People who live in lower economic neighborhoods often have high exposure to these metals. 

• A multifaceted approach to reducing the cardiovascular risks of contaminant metals may include public health measures, such as environmental monitoring and abatement; individual testing; further evaluation of the consequences of metal exposure; and the development of treatments.

This scientific statement reviews evidence linking chronic exposure to low or moderate levels of three contaminant metals — lead, cadmium, and arsenic — to cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. It highlights clinical and public health implications. Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease do not currently include environmental toxicants. The field of environmental cardiology identifies exposure to pollutants, including contaminant metals as modifiable risks for cardiovascular disease.

“The most surprising part of our findings is the multidecade disconnect between public health scientists, who proved over and over again that toxic metals were related to cardiovascular disease, and cardiologists, who only now accept the connection and the validity of environmental cardiology,” adds Dr. Lamas.

The scientific statement outlines global epidemiologic research confirming that lead, cadmium, and arsenic are associated with premature death, due in large part to increased cardiovascular disease risk.

While there is currently no standard medical therapy to counteract the vascular impact of contaminant metals, there is research in progress to address the potential of treating individuals for exposure. Some research is assessing the effect of chelating agents, which are medications that can remove contaminant metals, especially lead and cadmium, from the body. The chelating agent binds to metals so they can be excreted. In addition, the statement suggests research is needed to investigate nutritional supplements that may reduce the effects of contaminant metals and accelerate excretion. Supplements that have shown potential based on small trials include folate and N-acetyl cysteine.