Cardiovascular Problems related to Heavy Metal Toxicity

The endothelium is the thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels,[1] forming an interface between circulating blood in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall. Endothelial cells line the entire circulatory system, from the heart to the smallest capillary. These cells reduce turbulence of the flow of blood allowing the fluid to be pumped farther.

Endothelial cells are involved in many aspects of vascular biology, including:
• Vasoconstriction and vasodilation, and hence the control of blood pressure
• Blood clotting (thrombosis & fibrinolysis)
• Atherosclerosis
• Formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis)
• Inflammation
• Barrier function - the endothelium acts as a selective barrier between the vessel lumen and surrounding tissue, controlling the passage of materials and the transit of white blood cells into and out of the bloodstream.

Most if not all risk factors that are related to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, including traditional and nontraditional risk factors, were also found to be associated with endothelial dysfunction. Many of these risk factors, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking are associated with overproduction of reactive oxygen species or increased oxidative stress.11 By reacting with NO, reactive oxygen species may reduce vascular NO bioavailability and promote cellular damage.12 Hence, increased oxidative stress is considered a major mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction and may serve as a common pathogenic mechanism of the effect of risk factors on the endothelium.11–13 (Piero O. Bonetti; Lilach O. Lerman; Amir Lerman)

One of the main causes of Endothelial Dysfunction is the build of toxic heavy metals including Mercury, Lead, Aluminum, and Cadmium. This build up prevents the Endothelium from releasing Nitric Oxide.