Study Connects Agent Orange, Heart Disease

[allan]

Also see:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20090724/hl_hs...onsheartdisease

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politic...0,6416109.story

Study connects Agent Orange, heart disease

By Richard Lardner - The Associated Press

Posted : Friday Jul 24, 2009 16:48:59 EDT

WASHINGTON — Medical researchers say there may be a link between exposure to the defoliant Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the Vietnam War and an increased chance of developing serious heart problems and Parkinson’s disease.

A study from the Institute of Medicine released Friday contains several caveats, but suggests there is a stronger connection than previously thought about the health risks to Vietnam veterans.

The research was sponsored by the Veterans Affairs Department, which will decide what to do with the findings. A VA spokeswoman said the department is reviewing the study to determine the full extent of the toxic effects of Agent Orange so exposed Vietnam veterans get the disability benefits they are entitled to.

American forces sprayed millions of gallons of Agent Orange and other defoliants over parts of Vietnam from 1962 to 1970. Military authorities used the defoliants in an attempt to massively prune away the dense jungle cover used by North Vietnamese forces to hide.

American troops and others exposed to the chemicals later complained of numerous health problems, however, and researchers are still trying to determine the scope of the damage.

The Institute of Medicine, a division of the National Academy of Sciences, is mandated by Congress to review every two years evidence about the effects of Agent Orange exposure.

To determine whether Vietnam veterans faced an increased chance of ischemic heart disease — a condition involving reduced blood supply to the heart — researchers reviewed several studies that showed links between higher exposure levels and greater incidence of the disease.

Other factors such as smoking, age, and weight can also play a role, they noted. Still, they said veterans exposed to the chemicals may be at greater risk.

The conclusion on Parkinson’s was based on a review of 16 studies that looked at herbicide exposures among people with the disease or Parkinson’s-like symptoms. But the study cautions the review was hindered by the lack of studies specifically investigating Parkinson’s rates among Vietnam veterans.

"Keep on, Keepin' on"

Dan Cedusky, Champaign IL "Colonel Dan"

See my web site at:

http://www.angelfire.com/il2/VeteranIssues/

[john999]

The average RVN vet is probably at least 60 years old now. If they wait much longer we will all have had heart attacks, so I guess that will prove it. Unfortunately, half of us will be dead. I am already SC'ed for heart disease as secondary to AO DMII. All I want to know is that my wife gets DIC one way or the other. That is the gift that keeps on giving. I want the VA to pay for my funeral. One way or the other I worked for the federal government for about 20 years. My wife gets tiny survivor pension from the civilian feds. It is really pathetic. My federal pension will be only around 1200 bucks a month when I hit 62 and if I croke she gets half of that all of which is taxable. I understand that a wife can get half of what a husband makes for SSA. When does that provision come into effect. I mean will she get half at age 62 or does she have to wait until 65?

[jsdwd]

Also see:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20090724/hl_hs...onsheartdisease

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politic...0,6416109.story

Study connects Agent Orange, heart disease

"Keep on, Keepin' on"

Dan Cedusky, Champaign IL "Colonel Dan"

See my web site at:

http://www.angelfire.com/il2/VeteranIssues/

The 'heart disease' cited is ischemic heart disease involving (for the most part) the coronary artery. I had heavy AO exposure and have developed Aortal Stenosis which is also lessening of arterial flow, in this case going away from the heart. My guess is that the etiology is the same. The coronary artery disease is studied a lot because coronary blockage causes heart attacks, but both are serious. I wonder if any work is being done on that?