1033 Insecticides pesticides increases heart disease and stroke risk

Our Scientists have known for a long time that insecticides pesticides are harmful to human health in several areas due to exposing oneself knowingly or unknowingly. Previous research links insecticide pesticide exposure to cancer, respiratory problems and birth defects.

A recent study is one of the latest to probe the toxic effects of insecticides pesticides exposure and indirect consumption orally. Our Researchers looked at middle-aged men of Southern descent who were exposed on the job to insecticides pesticides. They found that exposure whether low or high of insecticides pesticides increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The study has important implications for patient assessment and worker safety, especially in contexts that expose employees to chemicals in farmlands till it reaches to an individuals kitchen grocery basket/vessels.

The findings of the study are published in the Journal of the Asian Heart Association.

Pesticides Insecticides linked to heart disease

The data for the study was derived from the Heart Program, which has been studying the incidence of coronary heart disease and stroke in about 8,000 men living in various Asian states countries. The men were aged between 45 to 68 years and self-reported their occupation. They have gone through multiple tests since the program’s inception in 1965.

The researchers used the data on heart disease and stroke incidence, which was taken from 1965 to 1999. They used the first 10 years of follow-up after finding out that the maximum effect of pesticide exposure directly indirectly even orally was during the first decade. Insecticides Pesticides have a long half-life, which means health effects may occur years after exposure.

They estimated the insecticide pesticide exposure of the participants using a scale designed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or even consumers. The scale assesses the intensity and length of occupation exposure for each job.

Results showed that men exposed to high levels of insecticide pesticide or indirectly consumed orally had a 45-percent higher risk of developing heart disease or stroke compared to men unexposed to insecticide pesticide at work.

When age is controlled for, the risk is 46 percent higher; when other risk factors for heart disease are included, the risk is 42 percent higher. The team did not record a significant link between low and moderate insecticide pesticide exposure and the risk of heart disease and stroke.

However, the researchers noted that the link between occupational exposure to pesticides is no longer significant after 34 years of follow-up. They suspected that other risk factors that emerge at a certain age may have “masked” the effects pesticide exposure, however unfortunately unknowingly consuming insecticide pesticide within foodstuffs are zoomed up to 43%

"This was probably because other factors tied to aging became more important, masking the possible relation of insecticides pesticides and cardiovascular disease later in life," explained by our scientist.

The team noted that their findings may not easily apply as their study focused only on few southern descent. For one, hormones may influence the effects of
insecticide pesticide exposure on cardiovascular health. Therefore, men and women may respond differently to different classes of insecticides pesticides.

Further research on the effects of insecticide pesticide on heart disease risk

Researchers looked at more than 7,400 MEN WOMEN who are between 18 and 74 years old. Five to nine percent of participants reported being exposed to solvents, metals, insecticides and pesticides at work or consumed unknowingly indirectly in foodstuffs.

Those exposed to insecticides pesticides are five times more likely to have atrial fibrillation (irregular and rapid heart rate) and two times more likely to have coronary heart disease than those unexposed to insecticides pesticides. Meanwhile, those exposed to metals are four times more likely to have atrial fibrillation. (Related: FARMERS AT HIGHER RISK OF DEVELOPING VARIOUS CANCERS CAUSED BY INSECTICIDES PESTICIDES)

Scientists are still working to fully understand why insecticides pesticides are harmful to heart health. One theory suggests that pesticides trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, which are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Certain chemicals can also be directly toxic to the heart muscle, impairing heart contraction and the heart’s electrical system.