Microplastics and Nanoplastics Linked to Increased Heart Attack and Stroke Risk
- Patients who have suffered a heart attack exhibit higher levels of microplastics and nanoplastics in their blood, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
- The research focused specifically on patients who had experienced a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a severe type of heart attack where a coronary artery is completely blocked.
- These particles were found embedded within the plaque of the carotid arteries, the primary vessels supplying blood to the brain.
Patients who have suffered a heart attack exhibit higher levels of microplastics and nanoplastics in their blood, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study found that 58% of patients had these plastic particles lodged in their carotid artery plaque, which was linked to a 4.5 times higher risk of experiencing a subsequent heart attack, stroke, or death within three years.
The research focused specifically on patients who had experienced a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a severe type of heart attack where a coronary artery is completely blocked.
These particles were found embedded within the plaque of the carotid arteries, the primary vessels supplying blood to the brain.
Microplastics and Carotid Artery Plaque Risks
The New England Journal of Medicine study indicates that the presence of these particles in carotid plaque is not evenly distributed among patients. For the 58% of participants who tested positive for micro- and nanoplastics, the prognosis was significantly worse than for those without such deposits.
According to the data, patients with plastic particles in their arterial plaque were 4.5 times more likely to suffer a major adverse cardiovascular event, including heart attack or stroke, or die within a three-year follow-up period.
News-Medical reports that these plastics are linked to increased heart attack risk factors.
Cardiovascular Impact of Plastic Accumulation
In the case of STEMI patients, the presence of these materials in the carotid artery is particularly critical.
The Science Media Centre España noted that the study specifically claims a higher concentration of these materials in patients who have already suffered a heart attack compared to those who have not, suggesting a potential link between plastic load and the severity of cardiovascular disease.