ABSTRACT
Heart, brachial arteries and diaphragm specimens were obtained from 30 autopsy cases consisting of 18 apparently normal subjects who met accidental death and 12 patients who died of myocardial infarction were analyzed for their elemental contents by neutron activation analysis. The following trace elements were determined: Co, Cu Zn, Fe, Mn, Cr and Mo. The values of these elements in the heart tissue of normal subjects were found to be higher than those of the Swedes. The concentration of chromium among Filipinos was found to be thirty times higher than the Swedes. The importance of this finding was discussedIt is hoped that the data we obtained will add to the growing evidence that trace elements are related to diabetes and possibly to degenerative cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis and the sequela. If related, measures can be taken not only for the treatment but also for the prevention of the disease. The incidence of cardiovascular disease is increasing not only in our country but also in other parts of the world. The metals coming from the expanding environmental contamination as a result of the industrial pollution of air and water, and the use of soil fertilizers, may play a role in the increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease by producing mineral inbalance in man.(Summary)