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Blood lead as a cardiovascular risk factor
1Institute of Social Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
American Journal of Epidemiology
|November 1, 1992
Summary
This study suggests a weak causal link between lead exposure and increased blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. While the individual impact is small, population-wide risks from lead exposure may be significant.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Epidemiologic and animal studies suggest a link between lead exposure and cardiovascular issues.
- Lead exposure has been hypothesized as a cause of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between blood lead levels and cardiovascular health outcomes.
- To examine the relationship between changes in blood lead over time and blood pressure.
- To assess the long-term impact of blood lead on mortality and cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 1,052 men and women in Copenhagen County, Denmark, with examinations in 1976 and 1981 (men also in 1987).
- Follow-up for hospital admissions and deaths over 14 years.
- Statistical analysis controlling for confounders.
Main Results:
- Blood lead levels decreased significantly in both men and women over the study period.
- Initial univariate associations between blood lead and blood pressure were observed, but often disappeared after controlling for confounders.
- Blood lead was a significant predictor of total mortality even after adjusting for confounders.
Conclusions:
- The study supports a weak causal association between blood lead and blood pressure, total mortality, and cardiovascular disease.
- The individual health impact of lead exposure is modest, but the population attributable risk may be considerable.
- Public health efforts to reduce environmental lead exposure remain important for cardiovascular health.