There may be a link between veteran’s 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 suggests there is a stronger connection than previously thought about the health risks to Vietnam veterans.

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.

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 thin out the dense jungle the North Vietnamese forces used as cover.

American troops and others exposed to the chemicals later complained of numerous health problems. It is still not know the full extent of potential problems.

Researchers reviewed several studies that showed links between higher exposure levels of Agent Orange and greater incidence of ischemic heart disease, a condition involving reduced blood supply to the heart, and determined Vietnam veterans likely face an increased chance of ischemic heart disease.

Veterans exposed to the chemicals may be at a greater risk to develop ischemic heart disease even if they have other risk factors such as smoking, age, and weight.

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 results related to Parkinson’s disease are less certain because of the lack of studies specifically investigating Parkinson’s rates among Vietnam veterans.

The Veteran’s Affairs Department is reviewing the study in order to determine the full extent of the toxic effects of Agent Orange in an effort to give exposed Vietnam veterans the disability benefits they need to properly treat their condition(s).

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Labels: agent orange, heart disease, North Vietnamese, Parkinson's, Veteran, Vietnam