Association between heavy metal exposure and heart failure incidence and mortality: insights from NHANES data (2003-2018).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Environmental heavy metal exposure is a potential yet understudied risk factor for heart failure (HF), a global health burden with rising prevalence. While toxic metals like cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) are linked to cardiovascular diseases, their roles in HF incidence and prognosis remain unclear.

Methods

The associations between heavy metals and HF outcomes were analyzed using NHANES 2003-2018 data (n = 11,592). Metals were measured in blood (Cd, Hg, Pb) and urine (As, Hg, others) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Confounding factors were addressed through propensity score matching (PSM). HF incidence was evaluated using logistic regression, while mortality was assessed via Cox regression. Mechanistic pathways were expl

SUBMITTER: Lin Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12105153 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature