Researchers at a major American medical center report that microscopic plastic particles can enter arteries and raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. The findings were published in a leading medical journal.
Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments, usually under five millimeters, that enter ecosystems from cosmetics, textiles, and industrial activities and form when larger plastics break down. Humans can inhale, ingest, or otherwise absorb these particles through air, food, and water.
Scientists observed that microplastics entering the carotid arteries, which carry blood and oxygen to the brain, were linked to a higher chance of heart attack and stroke. This connection emerged from examining the structure and composition of plaques removed from the paired arteries of 257 individuals during surgery.
New evidence showed that individuals with microplastic traces in their carotid arteries faced about a fourfold rise in the risk of heart events in the years after surgery. Additional signs of inflammation were found in those with plastic fragments in their blood vessels.
While the researchers caution that the presence of microplastics does not prove they directly cause strokes or heart attacks, toxins carried by these particles may trigger processes that contribute to atherosclerosis.
Earlier work suggested that microplastic debris can spread through the body and interact with vascular tissue, underscoring the potential health implications of environmental microplastics for cardiovascular risk. This line of research highlights the importance of monitoring and reducing microplastic exposure to protect vascular health.
Overall, the study adds to a growing body of evidence about how tiny plastic fragments can lodge in blood vessels and influence inflammatory responses, potentially shaping long-term heart health outcomes. Further studies are needed to establish causality and to explore how mitigation strategies might reduce associated risks.