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Hypertension? Test for Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals

Hypertension? Test for Toxic Heavy Metals and Heavy Metal Detox!

Hypertension? Test for Toxic Heavy Metals and Heavy Metal Detox!Hypertension? Test for Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals

Would you rather diagnose and treat the underlying cause of high blood pressure or prescribe an anti-hypertensive medication? If you prefer treating the cause of symptoms and disease in lieu of prescribing long-term pharmaceuticals, then continue reading.

There are many potential underlying causes of hypertension, and this article offers a deep dive into one that is not often included in the DDx – exposure to toxic heavy metals.

While many of your patients might realize they’re exposed to toxic heavy metals at times due to modern life, they might not know exposure is possible every time they eat or even drink water! Yes, unknown levels of toxic metals might lurk in breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

This article will review the specific toxic metals associated with hypertension, testing for exposure to toxic metals, and sources of exposure to toxic metals. Once laboratory testing reveals which toxic metals are clinical concerns, patients can begin to avoid the sources of the toxic metals to boost their health while also supporting the detoxification of stored toxic metals.

Hypertension? Test for Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals and Prescribe a Detox!What is Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?

A blood pressure measurement is the pressure at which blood pushes against the blood vessel walls as it flows from the heart through the arteries. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to other organs and tissues.1

Blood pressure measurements include two numbers:

  • The top number is called the systolic blood pressure, which reflects the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.
  • The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure, which reflects the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.

Ideally, a healthy blood pressure level is 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or less while at rest. A blood pressure level that is chronically above 120/80 mm Hg while at rest suggests the presence of pre-hypertension or hypertension.1 Hypertension is considered the strongest independent and modifiable risk factor for chronic kidney disease and several cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, stroke, and heart attack.1,2

Hypertension? Test for Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals and Prescribe a Detox!Blood pressure can be affected by nutritional, environmental, and behavioral factors, including weight, diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity levels, air pollution, noise, toxic metal exposures, psychosocial stress, and the use of blood-pressure-lowering medications. Changes in any of these factors, such as increased exposure to toxic metals or stress levels, could contribute to high blood pressure and the development of hypertension.3

Approximately half (50%!!) of all Americans have hypertension, and roughly 1 in 3 Americans who have hypertension do not know they have high blood pressure. Most individuals do not have symptoms associated with high blood pressure until it causes other serious health issues, which is why it is important to assess blood pressure at least once a year.4

Research shows exposure to toxic metals, including arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, is associated with the development of hypertension.

Hypertension? Test for Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals and Prescribe a Detox!Arsenic and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

According to research, a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension is present in areas that are known to be contaminated with arsenic. Research data also shows cumulative arsenic exposure throughout a lifetime correlates positively with the prevalence of hypertension. Additional data confirm a relationship between the increased consumption of arsenic-contaminated drinking water and the risk of developing hypertension.5

You might be wondering how arsenic increases blood pressure. While the research is ongoing, current evidence suggests arsenic:

  • Stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to significantly increase oxidative stress
    • Increased oxidative stress changes the structure of blood vessels.
    • ROS promote the proliferation and enlargement of the smooth muscle cells in blood vessel walls as well as collagen deposition, which then thickens the blood vessel walls.
    • The thicker blood vessel walls and stronger smooth muscle cells then constrict or narrow the opening of the blood vessels to directly increase blood pressure.
  • Causes chronic kidney disease and impairment of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) to increase blood pressure
  • Decreases antioxidants and antioxidant enzyme activity, including glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase
  • Initiates the generation of reactive nitrogen species to further increase oxidative stress
  • Increases calcium sensitization of the smooth muscle cells in the blood vessel walls to increase blood pressure
  • Contributes to the overexpression of the CYP4A gene, which can cause both androgen-sensitive hypertension and spontaneous hypertension
  • Increases lipid peroxidation
  • Causes suboptimal cholesterol levels by decreasing the good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol while increasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and hypertension
  • Blocks the blood vessel’s ability to relax, open, and reduce blood pressure5

Research clearly shows arsenic blocks the ability of blood vessels to open, relax, and decrease blood pressure via several pathways. Arsenic is commonly found in rice, rice-based products, fruit juices, and drinking water. Arsenic is odorless, tasteless, and colorless, so laboratory testing is required to know if patients are exposed to too much arsenic.

Hypertension? Test for Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals and Prescribe a Detox!Cadmium and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Cadmium is a highly toxic metal, and exposure can occur via smoking, chewing tobacco, eating, drinking, interacting with soil, and breathing air. Cadmium is also used to produce plastics, pigments, solders, and nickel-cadmium batteries, which can cause occupational exposures.6 Tobacco naturally and efficiently absorbs cadmium from soil, so tobacco is the most significant source of exposure in the general population. For those who do not use and are not around tobacco products – food and water are the most common sources of cadmium exposure.6

Commonly eaten foods that tend to be consumed in large amounts, including rice, wheat, potato, leafy green vegetables, and cereal crops, are the most noteworthy sources of dietary cadmium.Concerningly, high cadmium levels in dark chocolate have also been reported.

Recent systematic reviews confirm the association between cadmium exposure and the development of hypertension.6,7 Researchers note several mechanisms are likely to play a role in cadmium-induced hypertension.6

Research shows cadmium:

  • Disrupts endothelial function
  • Decreases the bioavailability of nitric oxide
    • Nitric oxide stimulates vasodilation (opens the blood vessels) to reduce blood pressure.6,8
  • Triggers inflammation and oxidative stress
  • Stimulates the constriction of blood vessels (vasoconstriction) to directly increase blood pressure
  • Alters the vascular response to neurotransmitters
  • Disturbs calcium signaling pathways to increase blood pressure
  • Affects kidney function by interfering with the renin-angiotensin system, which plays a significant role in the maintenance of optimal blood pressure6

Research also shows a significant association between urinary cadmium levels and the risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension. Data confirms a 75% increase in the odds of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension for every 3-fold increase in the urinary cadmium concentration in pregnant women.9

Hypertension? Test for Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals and Prescribe a Detox!Mercury and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Mercury is a fascinating heavy metal because it is liquid and shiny at room temperature. It is also highly toxic. A meta-analysis published in 2018 analyzed the data from over 55,000 adults who participated in 29 different studies to determine if there was a correlation between mercury levels in the body and hypertension. The results of the analysis confirm there is a significant positive association between their mercury level and hypertension.10 Hypertension is such a common occurrence after mercury exposure that it is listed as a symptom of a condition called acrodynia, which is mercury poisoning that is primarily diagnosed in children.11

Some individuals exposed to mercury do not develop high blood pressure, though. A retrospective review of six cases of acute mercury poisoning published in 2021 mentioned hypertension in only one of the patients.12 A case series of three patients from a poison control center also noted only one of the patients had hypertension after mercury exposure.13 Thus, it is important to note patients could be exposed to too much mercury (and other toxic heavy metals) even if they do not present with hypertension. Laboratory testing for exposure to toxic metals is required because most individuals will not know if they have been exposed unless testing is performed. Always test, don’t guess!

If an exposure to mercury is quickly discovered as the underlying cause of hypertension, evidence suggests removing the mercury with a medically supervised chelation protocol while avoiding additional mercury exposure could normalize the blood pressure level in approximately four to six months.12

Hypertension? Test for Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals and Prescribe a Detox!Where is Mercury Found?

Mercury is a natural element found in water, air, and soil. Common sources of mercury exposure include freshwater and marine fish, other seafood, dental amalgams, metal mining, metal smelting, fossil fuel combustion, incineration of municipal waste, rice, glass thermometers, some vaccines, sphygmomanometers (the devices used to measure blood pressure), skin-lightening treatments, barometers, some traditional remedies, neon lights, paper, interior latex paint, jewelry, fluorescent light bulbs, pesticides, fungicides, and chlorine.11,14-16

Hypertension? Test for Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals and Prescribe a Detox!How Does Mercury Increase Blood Pressure?

Mercury directly inactivates S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), which is a critical coenzyme for the enzyme catecholamine-O-methyltransferase (COMT). When mercury directly inactivates SAMe, it also inhibits the activity of COMT, which is involved in the catabolism (breakdown) of catecholamines.17

Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is a catecholamine. As adrenaline and other stimulating catecholamine levels increase, blood pressure and heart rate also increase.17

Hypertension? Test for Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals and Prescribe a Detox!Testing for Heavy Metals

Now that you know exposure to arsenic, cadmium, and mercury can significantly increase blood pressure, consider assessing toxic metal levels in patients with hypertension. Exposure to other toxic metals, including lead and nickel, is also associated with hypertension.18,19

The convenient, painless, and non-invasive Toxic Metals & Elements Test Panels from DiagnosTechs measure the levels of up to thirty-six different toxic metals and elements. DiagnosTechs offers six TME Test Panels:

  • Salivary Metals and Elements (SMETALS)
  • Urinary Metals and Elements (UMETALS)
  • Salivary and Urinary Metals and Elements Combo Panel (CMETALS)
  • Timed Salivary Metals and Elements (TSMETALS)
  • Timed Urinary Metals and Elements (TUMETALS)
  • Timed Salivary and Urinary Metals and Elements Combo (TCMETALS)

The regular (single collection) TME Panels primarily assess baseline current exposure levels to metals and elements rather than the stored or past exposure to metals and elements. The Timed TME Panels, on the other hand, are designed to be used in conjunction with a chelating or provoking agent, which will mobilize the stored pool of metals to assess past exposure to and stored levels of metals and elements, in addition to current exposure.

Hypertension? Test for Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals and Prescribe a Detox!Hypertension? Prescribe a Heavy Metal Detox

Once laboratory testing reveals which toxic metals are clinical concerns, an efficient and individualized treatment protocol that includes reducing or eliminating exposure to and supporting the detoxification of the specific toxic metals can be prescribed for optimal health.

Hypertension? Test for Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals Detox

To place a test order, click here. As a reminder, DiagnosTechs will drop ship test kits directly to your patients. You may select this option at the top of the order form.

Please visit our Provider Tools page for more information about choosing the right test, TME – FAQs for Providersprovocation protocols, test result interpretation, and treatment options.

References:

  1. High blood pressure symptoms and causes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm. Published May 18, 2021. Accessed April 23, 2024.
  2. Pelczyńska M, Moszak M, Bogdański P. The Role of Magnesium in the Pathogenesis of Metabolic DisordersNutrients. 2022;14(9):1714. doi:10.3390/nu14091714
  3. Zhou B, Perel P, Mensah GA, et al. Global epidemiology, health burden and effective interventions for elevated blood pressure and hypertensionNat Rev Cardiol. 2021;18(11):785-802. doi:10.1038/s41569-021-00559-8
  4. What is high blood pressure. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. March 24, 2022. Accessed April 23, 2024. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure.
  5. Balarastaghi S, Rezaee R, Hayes AW, et al. Mechanisms of Arsenic Exposure-Induced Hypertension and Atherosclerosis: an Updated OverviewBiol Trace Elem Res. 2023;201(1):98-113. doi:10.1007/s12011-022-03153-2
  6. Aramjoo H, Arab-Zozani M, Feyzi A, et al. The association between environmental cadmium exposure, blood pressure, and hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysisEnviron Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022;29(24):35682-35706. doi:10.1007/s11356-021-17777-9
  7. Martins AC, Almeida Lopes ACB, Urbano MR, et al. An updated systematic review on the association between Cd exposure, blood pressure and hypertensionEcotoxicol Environ Saf. 2021;208:111636. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111636
  8. Martins AC, Santos AAD, Lopes ACBA, et al. Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by Cadmium and Mercury and its Relationship to HypertensionCurr Hypertens Rev. 2021;17(1):14-26. doi:10.2174/1573402117666210121102405
  9. Liu H, Xia W, Xu S, et al. Cadmium body burden and pregnancy-induced hypertensionInt J Hyg Environ Health. 2018;221(2):246-251. doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.11.001
  10. Hu XF, Singh K, Chan HM. Mercury Exposure, Blood Pressure, and Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysisEnviron Health Perspect. 2018;126(7):076002. doi:10.1289/EHP2863
  11. Shekhawat R, Meshram V. Acrodynia. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; December 19, 2022.
  12. Johnson-Arbor K, Tefera E, Farrell J Jr. Characteristics and treatment of elemental mercury intoxication: A case seriesHealth Sci Rep. 2021;4(2):e293. doi:10.1002/hsr2.293
  13. Balachandran A, Jambugulam M, George K, et al. Clinical Spectrum of Mercury Poisoning in India: Case-series from a Poison Control CenterJ Assoc Physicians India. 2023;71(2):11-12. doi:10.5005/japi-11001-0180
  14. Güngör O, Özkaya AK, Kirik S, et al. Acute Mercury Poisoning in a Group of School ChildrenPediatr Emerg Care. 2019;35(10):696-699. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001011
  15. Zhao M, Li Y, Wang Z. Mercury and Mercury-Containing Preparations: History of Use, Clinical Applications, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacokinetics in Traditional Chinese MedicineFront Pharmacol. 2022;13:807807. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.807807
  16. Thimerosal and vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed December 18, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/about/thimerosal.html.
  17. Mercer JJ, Bercovitch L, Muglia JJ. Acrodynia and hypertension in a young girl secondary to elemental mercury toxicity acquired in the homePediatr Dermatol. 2012;29(2):199-201. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01737.x
  18. Lundin KK, Qadeer YK, Wang Z, et al. Contaminant Metals and Cardiovascular HealthJ Cardiovasc Dev Dis. 2023;10(11):450.
  19. Chen H, Zou Y, Leng X, et al. Associations of blood lead, cadmium, and mercury with resistant hypertension among adults in NHANES, 1999-2018Environ Health Prev Med. 2023;28:66. doi:10.1265/ehpm.23-00151