Exposure to Lead and Mercury Increases Cholesterol Levels: A Study

Increased levels of lead and mercury in the blood might increase bad cholesterol levels, likely to damage arteries and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, according to a preliminary study.

Findings of researchers at the Jacobi Medical Center in New York showed that people with high levels of lead were 56% more likely to have higher total cholesterol and 22% more likely to have high or lower cholesterol. density lipoprotein (LDL).

People with the highest levels of mercury in the blood were 73% more likely to have higher total cholesterol, while those whose cadmium levels in the blood were higher had a higher risk of cholesterol by 41%.

Mercury levels increased the likelihood of a higher LDL of 23% among those who were in the middle for their heavy metal levels, compared to those with the lowest level.

The increase in cholesterol observed with increasing levels of heavy metals in the blood could have cardiovascular consequences in people exposed to heavy metals, such as in areas affected by water crises, said Researchers.

This suggests the need to screen for heavy metals as a risk of hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease, they said.

The results will be presented at the 2018 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association in Chicago.

For the study, the team reviewed information from a representative national database of cholesterol levels and blood levels of heavy metals in US adults.

There was a noticeable difference between those with the lowest concentrations of heavy metals in the blood and those with the highest concentration, with LDL levels gradually increasing as the level of lead increased.