Purpose of Review
Epidemiologic and experimental evidence support that exposure to moderate-to-high arsenic (As) is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. Little is known, however, on the cardiovascular effects of low water As exposure (< 10 μg/L) through diet, particularly rice. The goal is to summarize the evidence on As and CVD and the research needs at low levels of exposure.
Recent Findings
Studies of populations in Taiwan, Chile, and Bangladesh have consistently shown that high water As (> 100 μg/L) constitutes a CVD risk factor. In experimental studies, chronic inorganic As in drinking water increased atherosclerotic lesions in mice. Cohort studies at low-to-moderate levels of exposure (< 100 μg/L) based on biomarkers or individual water As measures in American Indian from rural communities and in Whites and Hispanics from Colorado found higher risk of CVD incidence and mortality, particularly coronary heart disease (CHD) among those with higher arsenic exposure.
Summary
A major limitation of existent dose-response meta-analyses is the limited number of studies in populations exposed to water As at levels < 10 μg/L. Measuring metals, in particular arsenic, in general populations with comprehensive assessment of clinical cardiovascular disease can inform on the cardiovascular role of low-level arsenic and contribute to CVD prevention and control in general populations.