Environmental pollutants and risk for cardiovascular diseases: a prospective cohort study based on the data from the Tromsø study and the Norwegian Cardiovascular Disease Registry

We are all exposed to environmental pollutants through food, water, air, and consumer products. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews have suggested a possible link between environmental pollutants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and heavy metals, and cardiovascular disease.

In the Fit Futures study, PFAS were associated with dyslipidemia, obesity, and hypertension in adolescents from the Tromsø and Balsfjord municipalities. As this young population has not yet developed overt adverse health effects, studying an adult population in a prospective cohort design is better suited to investigate the long-term health impacts of environmental exposure.

Our study aims to investigate the association of PFAS and heavy metals with cardiovascular risk over follow-up periods of 18 and 10 years, respectively. Additionally, we will examine their association with overweight, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

In this research project we use data from the sixth and the seventh survey of the Tromsø study and the Norwegian Cardiovasular Disease Registry.

We collaborate closely with professor David Leon at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine as a co-supervisor.

The project is funded by the Northern Norway Regional Health Authority.