Occupational exposures to pesticides and metals are associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Hispanics/Latinos, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in Heart.

Catherine M. Bulka, Ph.D., from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and colleagues analyzed cross-sectional data from 7,404 employed Hispanic/Latino individuals aged 18 to 74 years. Questionnaire data were provided by participants from four U.S. cities who underwent clinical examinations, including electrocardiograms. The authors examined the correlations of occupational exposure to organic solvents, metals, and pesticides in relation to CVD.

The researchers found that 6.5, 8.5, and 4.7 percent of Hispanic/Latino workers reported exposures to organic solvents, metals, and pesticides, respectively, at their current jobs. 

Of the participants, 6.1 percent had some form of CVD, most commonly coronary heart disease, which was followed by cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation (4.3, 1, 0.8, and 0.7 percent, respectively). After adjustment for confounders, individuals who reported working with pesticides had prevalence ratios of 2.18 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.34 to 3.55), 2.2 (95 percent CI, 1.31 to 3.71), 1.38 (95 percent CI, 0.62 to 3.03), 0.91 (95 percent CI, 0.23 to 3.54), and 5.92 (95 percent CI, 1.89 to 18.61) for any CVD, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, respectively. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation increased with metal exposures (prevalence ratio, 3.78 [95 percent CI, 1.24 to 11.46]).

"Our results do suggest occupational exposures could be important contributors to CVD for Hispanics/Latinos," the authors write.

Source: The Cardiology Advisor