Coronary calcium buildup causes atherosclerosis, a chronic and inflammatory cardiovascular disease marked by narrowed arterial walls and thus reduced blood flow. Environmental contaminants have been increasingly recognized as risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but the association of metals with coronary artery calcification has been “largely unknown,” the study authors said. They hypothesized that higher urinary levels of nonessential metals — cadmium, tungsten and uranium — and essential metals — cobalt, copper and zinc — that have previously been associated with cardiovascular disease may be linked with calcification. The participants didn’t already have clinical cardiovascular disease and were recruited from Baltimore; Chicago; Los Angeles; New York City; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Winston Salem, North Carolina. The trouble with measuring urinary metal levelsThe study has a few other limitations.

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Persons: Drs, Sadeer, Khurram Nasir, Sanjay Rajagopalan, weren’t, ”, Katlyn, McGraw, Winston, cardiologists, Andrew Freeman, wasn’t, they’re, ” Freeman, “ It’s, ‘, Kindi, Nasir, Rajagopalan, ” McGraw, —, Freeman Organizations: CNN, American College of Cardiology, Houston Methodist, University Hospitals Harrington, & Vascular Institute, Columbia University’s Mailman, of Public Health, Jewish Health Locations: Cleveland, Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles ; New York City, St, Paul , Minnesota, Winston Salem , North Carolina, Denver, Columbia