Heart Disease and Agent Orange

What is Agent Orange?

Agent Orange was used in Vietnam between 1961 and 1971. It is a specific blend of herbicides used to remove leaves from trees in the thick jungle canopy which may hide enemy forces.. Many Vietnam veterans were exposed to the Agent Orange herbicides.

How is Agent Orange Linked to Heart Disease

The Agent Orange Act of 1991 was passed by Congress due to uncertainty surrounding the health effects of Agent Orange exposure on Vietnam veterans. This act led the Institute of Medicine to review scientific and medical information connecting Agent Orange exposure to health effects.

Since 1991, there have been 8 updates to the “Veterans and Agent Orange” report compiled by the Institute of Medicine. The most recent updated occurred in 2008 and was released on July 24, 2009.

In the latest update, “the authoring committee found suggestive but limited evidence that exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the Vietnam War is associated with an increased chance of developing ischemic heart disease and Parkinson’s disease for Vietnam veterans.” (Source: http://iom.edu/Reports/2009/Veterans-and-Agent-Orange-Update-2008.aspx)

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Health Made Easy
http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com