Chronic Arsenic Exposure and Heart Problems
Author Information
Author(s): Judy L. Mumford, Kegong Wu, Yajuan Xia, Richard Kwok, Zhihui Yang, James Foster, William E. Sanders Jr.
Primary Institution: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Hypothesis
Does chronic arsenic exposure affect cardiac repolarization and QT interval in a human population?
Conclusion
Chronic arsenic exposure is significantly associated with QT interval prolongation in a human population.
Supporting Evidence
- The prevalence rates of QT prolongation increased with higher arsenic exposure.
- Females were more susceptible to QT prolongation than males.
- The study found a dose-dependent relationship between arsenic concentration and QTc prolongation.
Takeaway
Drinking water with arsenic can make your heart beat irregularly, especially in women.
Methodology
The study involved ECG measurements of 313 residents exposed to varying levels of arsenic in drinking water.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from self-reported data on smoking and alcohol consumption.
Limitations
The study may not account for all potential confounding factors affecting QT interval.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 168 males and 145 females with a mean age of 35 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Confidence Interval
[95% CI, 1.128–12.993]
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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