Agent Orange and ischemic heart disease: Long-term consequence for Vietnam Veterans

Abstract

Agent Orange was a powerful herbicide mixture used by U.S. military forces during the Vietnam War to eliminate forest cover protecting enemy troops. Much of Agent Orange contained a dangerous chemical contaminant called dioxin. An important dioxin-mediated effect on humans is causing endothelial dysfunction. If endothelium is dysfunctional and not producing normal amounts of nitric oxide, premature atherosclerosis can occur and progress. The Veterans Administration has acknowledged that Agent Orange is a risk factor for coronary artery disease. When seeing patients, it is important to determine if they served in Vietnam during the period of Agent Orange spraying. It is recommended these Veterans have aggressive coronary risk factor modification with long-term followup.