Naples, Italy – New research published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that individuals with microplastics and nanoplastics found in plaque lining a major blood vessel in their neck may face a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. This study is the first to establish a connection between these minuscule plastic particles, resulting from degraded plastic pollution, and cardiovascular disease.
Microplastics, particles smaller than 5 millimeters, and nanoplastics, even tinier and only visible through specialized microscopes, have become increasingly widespread in recent years. These particles have been detected in diverse environments, ranging from snowfall in Antarctica to the depths of the Marianas Trench, as well as in human blood, breast milk, urine, and various tissues.
Dr. Raffaele Marfella, a cardiology researcher at the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Naples, Italy, led the study to identify new risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Given the significant amount of plastic pollution on the planet, the researchers set out to investigate whether micro- or nanoplastics could contribute to arterial degradation by being inhaled, ingested, or entering the body through the skin.
The study focused on patients undergoing surgery for carotid artery stenosis, a condition where plaque buildup obstructs normal blood flow in the carotid arteries supplying blood to the brain, face, and neck. Analysis of plaque removed from 257 patients revealed plastic particles, primarily nanoplastics, in 150 patients. Follow-up assessments showed that patients with detectable plastic particles had a significantly higher risk of nonfatal heart attack, nonfatal stroke, or death compared to those without such particles.
Although observational, the study hints at a potential link between micro- and nanoplastics and heart disease. Dr. Martha Gulati, director of preventive cardiology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, pointed out that inflammation markers increased with higher levels of plastics in the plaque, suggesting a possible inflammatory response triggering cardiovascular events.
While the findings cannot confirm causation, they underscore the need for further research to explore the impact of micro- and nanoplastics on cardiovascular health. Future studies may delve into measuring these plastics in the general population to assess associations with cardiac events. Initiatives are also underway to investigate micro- and nanoplastics in other human tissues to gain a comprehensive understanding of their potential effects on health.