Microplastics threaten heart health

Microplastics in human arteries increase cardiovascular risk.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2024 by the Naples team demonstrates for the first time that plastic particles from bottles, bags, cosmetics, and clothing, etc., can enter the arteries and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. How can you protect yourself? Drink from glass or filtered bottles, use less single-use plastic, buy clothing made of natural fibers like cotton and linen, clean frequently to remove dust, and eat more fresh foods.

by Niccolo Maurizi

In recent years, we have been hearing more and more about microplastics and nanoplastics: tiny plastic particles that form when common objects like bottles, bags, cosmetics, and clothes break into tiny pieces.
These particles are so small that they can enter our body without us realizing it., through food, water, air, or skin. We already knew that microplastics are found in some human organs, such as the lungs, placenta, and blood. But until now, we didn't know whether they could also damage the heart and arteries.
Today, thanks to a new study published on New England Journal of Medicine 2024 from researchers in Naples, we have important new information.

Microplastics are everywhere: in the air, in water, in food. But now an Italian study shows they can also penetrate our arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. A new invisible enemy for heart health that we must be aware of and address with awareness.

Italian researchers followed more than 300 patients.
They had problems with their carotid arteries (the arteries in the neck) and had undergone surgery to remove atherosclerotic plaques, which are fatty deposits (cholesterol) that block blood flow to the brain.
Doctors analyzed these plaques to see if they contained microplastics. The results were surprising: over 58% of patients had microplastics inside their plaquesThe most common were polyethylene (used for bags and bottles) and PVC (used in pipes). Some particles were so small they were called nanoplastics.
Scientists used very advanced techniques to identify microplastics: electron microscopy: to see the tiny particles; mass spectrometry: to know what type of plastic they were made of and isotopic analysis: to make sure it was really plastic and not other substances.
After following the patients for about three years, the researchers found that those with microplastics in their arteries had a fourfold increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. Specifically, 20% of patients with microplastics had a serious cardiovascular problem, while only 7,5% of those without microplastics had similar problems.

But how do microplastics damage the heart?

Microplastics appear to harm us in several ways:

Inflammation: they cause a continuous inflammatory reaction in the blood vessels.
Oxidative stress: they produce harmful substances that damage cells.
Deposit in the arteries: they accumulate in the vessels and worsen plaque formation.

The plates with microplastics they were more inflamed and less stable, therefore more dangerous.

Microplastics are everywhereMicroplastics are found in drinking water, in food, especially fish and seafood, in the air, and in many everyday objects (clothing, cosmetics, packaging). Avoiding them completely is difficult, but we can still try to reduce our contact. The authors explain that their study shows a strong association between microplastics and cardiovascular disease, but cannot definitively establish whether microplastics are the direct cause. Further studies are needed to better understand.

What can we do every day?

While we can't completely eliminate microplastics, we can protect our health with small measures: drink bottled or filtered water, use less single-use plastic (like plastic cups and cutlery), buy clothes made of natural fibers like cotton and linen, air out the house and clean it often to remove dust, and eat more fresh foods, avoiding overly packaged foods.
This important study has demonstrated, for the first time, that the microplastics can be found inside human arteries and that their presence is linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
While more research is still needed, It is clear that the problem of microplastics also concerns the health of our heartProtecting our environment also means protecting ourselves. Less plastic in the world, healthier hearts!

This important study has demonstrated, for the first time, that microplastics can be found inside human arteries and that their presence is linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
While more research is needed, it's clear that the microplastics problem also affects our heart health.

Protecting our environment also means protecting ourselves. Less plastic in the world, healthier hearts!

References

Marfella R, Prattichizzo F, Sardu C, et al. Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events. N Engl J Med. 2024 Mar 7;390(10):900-910.

Dr. Niccolò Maurizi

Cardiologist, head of the Cardiomyopathy outpatient clinic at the CHUV in Lausanne