Blood Lead Levels and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Results from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

(1) Objective: Lead, a heavy metal that exists commonly in air, soil and crops may cause chronic disease in the cardiovascular system. The purpose of this study is to investigate how blood lead levels affect cardiovascular disease in adults. (2) Study Design and Participants: It is a cross-sectional, descriptive study using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Data from a total of 1929 participants, derived from the KNHANES, conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2017, were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. (3) Measurement: The cardiovascular disease risk was calculated using the Framingham risk score. There was a strong positive correlation between blood lead levels and the Framingham risk score. Furthermore, of the FRS sub-criteria, systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol level and total cholesterol level all also showed a significant correlation. (4) Results: We analyzed the correlation between PbB levels and the FRS sub-criteria, including systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol level, total cholesterol level and the FRS total. We found a significant positive correlation between PbB levels and systolic blood pressure, FRS total and total cholesterol level (p < 0.05), as well as a significant negative correlation with HDL cholesterol level (p < 0.05). (5) Conclusion: Based on the perception that there is no lower toxicological threshold for blood lead, it is necessary to restrict lead in product manufacturing for the purpose of public health. In addition, it is necessary to be aware of the dangers of exposure to even small amounts of lead in daily life.