A recent study found that people with arterial plaque containing microplastics are more than four times more likely to die or have a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke.

Microplastics are pieces of plastic less than 5 mm long that form when plastic is eroded by sunlight, water, and other substances.

It then enters our bodies through food, water, and air.

Although not much is known about the health potential of these tiny plastic fragments, Francesco Prattichizzo and his colleagues at IRCCS MultiMedica in Italy have discovered a link between cardiovascular disease and microplastics.

Praticizzo said: “Plastic production is steadily increasing and is predicted to continue to increase, so we need to know how.” [and] If any of these molecules affect our health. ”

The study involved searching for microplastics in the arterial plaques of 257 adults. Between August 2019 and August 2020, these adults underwent surgery to remove plaque in the arteries that carry blood to the brain.

Chemical analysis using microscopy revealed the presence of microplastics in the plaques of 150 participants. All study participants were then monitored until July 2023.

During this period, Praticizzo and his team found that participants who had microplastics in their plaques were four times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or death.

Although this study proves a link between microplastics and heart disease, it does not prove that microplastics are the cause. Researchers could not ignore the fact that other factors, such as diet and air pollution, may also be contributing to these findings.

However, Professor Praticizzo found that high levels of inflammatory molecules were found in plaque containing microplastics, suggesting that plastic debris in the blood can worsen inflammation and therefore increase the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. He said it was suggested.

Tracy Woodruff from the University of California, San Francisco, said: “Plastic contains many different chemicals that are known to have the potential to have negative health effects, and there is no evidence of health effects. I’m not surprised that it’s starting to increase.”