Heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic are potent neurotoxins that can have a detrimental impact on brain health. Chronic exposure to these metals can lead to increased blood pressure and damage to blood vessels. Lead exposure, for example, is associated with elevated blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for stroke. Similarly, arsenic exposure has been linked to vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis, further increasing the likelihood of having a stroke.