Urinary Metal Levels and Coronary Artery Calcification: Longitudinal Evidence in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Dr. Kaitlyn McGraw discusses her study on the relationship between urinary trace metal levels and coronary artery calcification, highlighting the role of environmental exposures in cardiovascular disease risk. The research reveals significant associations between elevated levels of metals like cadmium, tungsten, and uranium with the progression of calcification, comparable to traditional risk factors such as smoking and diabetes. Dr. McGraw emphasizes the need for integrating environmental factors into cardiovascular risk assessments and suggests policy changes to better regulate metal exposure in the population. Moderated by Khurram Nasir, MBBS, FACC.