American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

Decreased intake of which element may lead to serious complications in heart function?

1. Chromium

2. Iron

3. Selenium

4. Copper

The correct answer is: Selenium

Selenium plays a crucial role in cardiovascular health due to its involvement in the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, particularly glutathione peroxidase, which protects cells from oxidative damage. A deficiency in selenium can lead to various cardiomyopathies, including Keshan disease, which is characterized by cardiac dysfunction and increased risk of heart failure. Inadequate selenium levels can impair the body's ability to reduce oxidative stress, contributing to inflammation and damage to cardiac tissue. On the other hand, while iron, chromium, and copper are also important for bodily functions, their deficiencies tend to affect different areas. Iron is critical for oxygen transport and energy production, but its deficiency typically leads to anemia rather than direct complications in heart function. Chromium is involved in carbohydrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity but does not have a direct and vital role in heart contractility or rhythm like selenium does. Copper is required for various enzymatic functions, including those that maintain connective tissue and iron metabolism, but its impact on heart function is not as direct or significant as that of selenium.