Cardiovascular Effects. Several human studies have examined the possible relationship between
increased serum copper levels and an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Although a number of
studies have found increased risk of coronary heart disease deaths with increasing serum copper levels
(Ford 2000), a number of studies have not found a relationship. However, whether copper directly affects
atherosclerosis or is a marker of inflammation associated with atherosclerosis remains to be established.
There are limited data on the toxicity of copper to the cardiovascular system. A significant increase in
systolic blood pressure was observed in rats exposed to 14 mg Cu/kg/day as copper carbonate in the diet
for 15 weeks (Liu and Mederios 1986). No histological alterations were observed in the hearts of rats or
mice exposed to 285 or 717 mg Cu/kg/day, respectively, for 14 days or 134 or 814 mg Cu/kg/day for
90 days (NTP 1993).