Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are well-known risk factors for peripheral arterial and some other cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to determine the level of both toxic metals, in the human heart tissue and compare the accumulation to their age, gender, body mass index, living environment and smoking habit. Heart tissues of the 112 autopsy cases, representing a sample set of population living in capital city of Turkey: Ankara Province (both in city center and suburban), were collected from Turkey Ministry of Justice, Council of Forensic Medicine in Ankara Branch. Lead and cadmium analysis was carried out by Graphite Furnace Atomic Spectrometry technique. Cd/Pb results and individuals information were assessed by SPSS statistically. Average value of Pb was found as 1374.99±237.01ppb and Cd was found as 287.54±66.43ppb in all heart tissue samples. Consideration of metal levels in autopsy heart tissues by age, statistically significant positive correlation in Cd was observed (p
Key words: Lead, Cadmium, heart tissue, accumulation, smoking, AAS
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