Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells
09:43

Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells

Published on: July 9, 2015

12.7K

Dietary haem iron and coronary heart disease in women

Daphne L van der A1, Petra H M Peeters, Diederick E Grobbee

  • 1Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, HP Str.6.131, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.

European Heart Journal
|December 25, 2004
PubMed

Insights

High dietary heme iron intake is linked to increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in middle-aged women. This finding suggests dietary iron may play a significant role in cardiovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Nutritional Epidemiology
  • Iron Metabolism

Background:

  • In vitro and in vivo studies suggest a role for iron in ischaemic heart disease risk.
  • Dietary iron, particularly heme iron, is a key nutrient with potential cardiovascular implications.
  • Understanding the association between dietary heme iron and coronary heart disease (CHD) is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between dietary heme iron intake and the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD).
  • To examine this relationship in a large population-based cohort of middle-aged women.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 16,136 women aged 49-70 years, with follow-up until January 1, 2000.
  • Employed Cox proportional hazards analysis to estimate CHD risk across quartiles of heme iron intake.
  • Adjusted for cardiovascular and nutritional risk factors, and explored potential effect modification.

Main Results:

  • A high dietary heme iron intake was associated with a 65% increase in CHD risk (HR=1.65; 95% CI: 1.07-2.53).
  • This association remained significant after adjusting for cardiovascular and nutritional risk factors.
  • No significant modification of risk was observed based on additional cardiovascular risk factors, menstrual status, or antioxidant intake.

Conclusions:

  • Middle-aged women with relatively high dietary heme iron intake face an elevated risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
  • Dietary heme iron is a potential modifiable risk factor for CHD in women.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes08:45

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes

Published on: May 10, 2022

2.6K
Measurement of Tissue Non-Heme Iron Content using a Bathophenanthroline-Based Colorimetric Assay05:08

Measurement of Tissue Non-Heme Iron Content using a Bathophenanthroline-Based Colorimetric Assay

Published on: January 31, 2022

5.8K

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
8.7K
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and...
4.1K
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle01:22

Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle

The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH...
2.5K
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
1.7K
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
1.0K
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
880