Previous studies have determined the effects of exposure to some heavy metals on cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the association between exposure to cadmium and CVD in adults remains unclear. The relationship between serum levels of cadmium and the risk of CVD was studied by analysing available data from 38,223 participants who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2016. After adjusting for all covariates, we found that higher serum cadmium concentrations were positively related to both the overall risk of CVD (odds ratio (OR): 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22, 1.72; p for trend <0.001) and the risks of its subtypes, including congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Elevated levels of cadmium were associated with increased levels of lipids and inflammation parameters, including blood triglycerides, total cholesterol, white blood cells (WBCs) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Our study provided epidemiological evidence that cadmium may increase the risk of CVD by elevating blood lipids and inflammation. CapsuleHigh blood levels of Cd are associated with increased risks of overall CVD and four of the CVD subtypes
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