Exposure to heavy metals may increase risk of calcium buildup in the walls of coronary arteries, which can lead to chronically narrowed arteries, a new study found.

Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CM) is defined as having two or more cardiometabolic diseases — Type 2 diabetes, heart disease or stroke.

These and other metals found in the environment can collect in the body and exacerbate heart disease, new research suggests.

Metal exposure from environmental pollution is associated with increased calcium buildup in the coronary arteries at a level comparable to traditional risk factors like smoking and

People with high levels of metals found in tobacco smoke, fertilizers and batteries are more likely to develop atherosclerosis, a disease that reduces blood flow to organs.