Microplastics Found in Over 50% of Blocked Arterial Plaques

Plastic has long become an indispensable part of modern human life, but its impact on our health is increasingly concerning. According to a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, microplastics – tiny plastic particles smaller than 5mm – have been detected in over 50% of blocked arterial plaques. This discovery raises critical questions about the relationship between microplastics and human cardiovascular health.

Previously, scientists conducted numerous studies on the effects of microplastics using organ simulation models and experiments on mice to better understand their potential harm to human health. However, the concentrations of microplastics used in these studies may not fully reflect the levels of exposure humans encounter in daily life, and research on human subjects remains limited.

Microplastics Found in Over 50% of Blocked Arterial Plaques (Photo: Getty Images)

In a study published this March, a research team led by Raffaele Marfella, a medical researcher at the University of Campania in Naples, Italy, discovered microplastics in arterial plaques removed from 257 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy surgery. This procedure helps eliminate plaques in narrowed arteries, reducing the risk of stroke and other serious complications.

The results revealed that nearly 60% of patients had polyethylene plastics and 12% had polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics in their plaques. Polyethylene is the most common type of plastic, used in plastic bags, food wraps, and bottles. PVC, another type of plastic, is used in making pipes, flooring, and packaging. The presence of these plastics in arterial plaques indicates that microplastics may have deeply infiltrated the cardiovascular system.

Microplastics can enter the body through various pathways, including food, drinking water, and air. Once in the bloodstream, these tiny particles can reach and accumulate in vital organs, including the cardiovascular system. Laboratory studies have shown that microplastics can cause:

• Inflammation and oxidative stress: Heart cells exposed to microplastics may suffer damage, leading to chronic inflammation and an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants.
• Reduced heart function: Microplastics can disrupt heart rhythms, cause arrhythmias, or decrease the heart’s pumping efficiency.
• Scar formation in the heart: In some animal studies, microplastics led to scarring on heart tissue, resulting in long-term health issues.

Data from occupational exposure studies suggest that individuals frequently exposed to plastic pollution, such as workers in plastic manufacturing, face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the general population. This, combined with the new findings of microplastics in arterial plaques, heightens concerns about the long-term health effects of plastic.

Patients with microplastics in their removed plaques were found to have a 4.5 times higher risk of cardiovascular events within 34 months after surgery compared to those without detected microplastics. These events included strokes, non-fatal heart attacks, or death from any cause.

While this study cannot conclusively establish that microplastics directly cause cardiovascular complications, the detected link is significant and cannot be ignored. It serves as a reminder of the urgent need for deeper research to fully understand the impact of microplastics on human health.