Heavy exposure to pesticides may boost stroke risk

Working around high levels of pesticides may translate into a high risk for heart trouble later, a new study suggests. That was the case for a group of Japanese-American men in Hawaii who were followed for more than three decades. Compared to men who had not worked around pesticides, those who had the greatest exposure had a 45% higher risk for heart disease or stroke, researchers found. "This study emphasises the importance of using personal protective equipment during exposure to pesticides on the job and the importance of documenting occupational exposure to pesticides in medical records, as well as controlling standard heart disease risk factors," said study co-author Dr. Beatriz Rodriguez.

She's a professor of geriatric medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The findings stem from data on more than 6,000 men on Oahu who took part in the Kuakini Honolulu Heart Programme. Because only men of Japanese descent were involved, the findings may not apply to women or other populations, the researchers noted. Since pesticides have a long half-life, their effects on health may show up years after exposure. In this case, the greatest effects were seen within 10 years of exposure.

"After following the men for 34 years, the link between being exposed to pesticides at work and heart disease and stroke was no longer significant," Rodriguez said in a news release. "This was probably because other factors tied to aging became more important, masking the possible relation of pesticides and cardiovascular disease later in life."

Researchers found no significant link between exposure to low to moderate amounts of pesticides and the risk of heart disease or stroke.

Losing teeth may be associated with higher risk for heart disease, a new study suggests.

Researchers studied nearly 317,000 Americans between 40 and 79 years of age. They found that 28% of those who had lost all their teeth to gum disease also had heart problems, compared with 7% of those who kept all their teeth.

The researchers found that people with some missing teeth were more likely to develop heart disease, even when accounting for factors such as age, weight, race, tobacco and alcohol use, and dental visits.

"Our results support that there is a relationship between dental health and cardiovascular health," said lead author Dr. Hamad Mohammed Qabha. He's chief medical and surgical intern at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi

Arabia.

The findings were scheduled to be presented Thursday at a meeting of the American College of Cardiology, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The study only revealed an association rather than a cause-and-effect link.

"If a person's teeth fall out, there may be other underlying health concerns," Qabha said in a meeting news release. "Clinicians should be recommending that people in this age group receive adequate oral health care to prevent the diseases that lead to tooth loss in the first place and as potentially another way of reducing risk of future cardiovascular disease."

 HealthDay

 

Heavy exposure to pesticides may boost stroke risk

Working around high levels of pesticides may translate into a high risk for heart trouble later, a new study suggests. That was the case for a group of Japanese-American men in Hawaii who were followed for more than three decades. Compared to men who had not worked around pesticides, those who had the greatest exposure had a 45% higher risk for heart disease or stroke, researchers found. This study emphasises the importance of using personal protective equipment during exposure to pesticides on the job and the importance of documenting occupational exposure to pesticides in medical records, as well as controlling standard heart disease risk factors, said study co-author Dr. Beatriz Rodriguez. Shes a professor of geriatric medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The findings stem from data on more than 6,000 men on Oahu who took part in the Kuakini Honolulu Heart Programme. Because only men of Japanese descent were involved, the findings may not apply to women or other populations, the researchers noted. Since pesticides have a long half-life, their effects on health may show up years after exposure. In this case, the greatest effects were seen within 10 years of exposure. After following the men for 34 years, the link between being exposed to pesticides at work and heart disease and stroke was no longer significant, Rodriguez said in a news release. This was probably because other factors tied to aging became more important, masking the possible relation of pesticides and cardiovascular disease later in life. Researchers found no significant link between exposure to low to moderate amounts of pesticides and the risk of heart disease or stroke. Losing teeth may be associated with higher risk for heart disease, a new study suggests. Researchers studied nearly 317,000 Americans between 40 and 79 years of age. They found that 28% of those who had lost all their teeth to gum disease also had heart problems, compared with 7% of those who kept all their teeth. The researchers found that people with some missing teeth were more likely to develop heart disease, even when accounting for factors such as age, weight, race, tobacco and alcohol use, and dental visits. Our results support that there is a relationship between dental health and cardiovascular health, said lead author Dr. Hamad Mohammed Qabha. Hes chief medical and surgical intern at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The findings were scheduled to be presented Thursday at a meeting of the American College of Cardiology, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The study only revealed an association rather than a cause-and-effect link. If a persons teeth fall out, there may be other underlying health concerns, Qabha said in a meeting news release. Clinicians should be recommending that people in this age group receive adequate oral health care to prevent the diseases that lead to tooth loss in the first place and as potentially another way of reducing risk of future cardiovascular disease. HealthDay