Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) can occur in the arteries of the neck and is a known risk factor for stroke. In this study, we looked at 2478 adults enrolled in the Strong Heart Study. All study participants were between the ages of 45 and 74 years old and had an ultrasound of arteries of the neck (the carotid arteries). The study goal was to understand the major risk factors for atherosclerosis and plaque in the arteries, including traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, age, gender, and cholesterol. In addition, we looked at the risk of arsenic, a contaminant in ground water on carotid artery disease. Using arsenic concentrations, measured in the participants' urine, we aimed to learn whether arsenic is a risk factor for carotid artery disease including the thickness of the artery and whether there was plaque in the artery (i.e. commonly referred to as "clogging of the artery"). We found increased arsenic exposure is associated with thickening of the carotid artery but not with the presence of plaque. This study provides additional information on the relationship between longterm arsenic exposure in drinking water and carotid vascular disease risk.