Home / News / Research & Clinical Trials

Study: Significant Link Found between Asbestos and Strokes, Heart Disease

Research & Clinical Trials

Reading Time: 2 mins

Publication Date: 05/11/2012

Written by Mark Hall

Fact Checked

Cite This Article

Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource

The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.

Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.

More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.

About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com

Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.

Learn More About Us

Testimonials

My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.

Lashawn

Mesothelioma patient’s daughter

Read Our Testimonials

Red heart with stethoscope and EKG in background

Industrial workers exposed to asbestos now have additional health concerns to worry about beyond mesothelioma and lung cancer.

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal shows a significant link between asbestos exposure and heart disease and strokes.

Researchers have long known that asbestos was linked to respiratory diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and others, but not cardiovascular disease. Some believe this latest study may be one piece of growing evidence that links a dangerous substance with an increasing number of diseases.

A Deeper Look into the Results

The report, published in April, discussed the mortality of 98,912 asbestos workers and their respective diseases. The study period was conducted from 1971 to 2005. The results are surprising, given little discussion of such a link in previous studies.

There were 15,557 deaths in the studied group that were attributed to all causes. Ischemic heart disease (IHD), a form of cardiovascular disease, accounted for 4,185 deaths, while Cerebrovascular, more commonly known as a stroke, accounted for 1,053 fatalities.

These figures represent significantly higher occurrences among asbestos workers when compared to expected averages. According to the study, there was a “statistically significant excess mortality” of both strokes and heart diseases among men and women alike.

The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for strokes was 1.63 in men, 2.04 in women. The SMR for ischemic heart disease was 1.39 for men and 1.89 for women.

The study further stated that the duration of asbestos exposure was statistically significant for IHD.

Authors of the report include Anne-Helen Harding, Andrew Darnton and John Osman. Within the official conclusion of the report, they stated that the results demonstrate occupational asbestos exposure was associated with the development of strokes and heart diseases deaths in the cases of workers included in the study.