Nearly 84% of patients suffering severe heart attacks had microplastics and nanoplastics detected in their coronary artery blood, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 61 patients undergoing angiograms and found that plastics were present in 40% of individuals with chronic heart disease and 32% of those with normal coronary arteries.
Polyethylene, a common plastic used in bags and bottles, was detected in 97% of the patients who tested positive for plastic particles. The study was led by Dr. Raffaele Marfella of the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Naples.
While the findings suggest a potential link between microplastics and heart disease, experts caution against assuming causation. Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian not involved in the study, noted that it was observational and included a small patient group from one country, limiting the ability to generalize the results. "This was an observational study, so it can only show an association, not cause and effect," Routhenstein stated. "It also included a relatively small group of patients from one country, so we can't assume the findings apply to everyone."
Environmental factors and lifestyle choices may also influence the presence of plastics in the blood. The study identified a history of smoking as the strongest predictor of detectable plastic particles. "Factors like smoking and air pollution are also linked to cardiovascular disease and higher plastic exposure, making it difficult to separate the independent effects of microplastics," Routhenstein added.
To mitigate potential exposure, experts suggest reducing the use of plastic in daily life. Recommendations include swapping plastic food storage containers for glass alternatives and using glass or ceramic dishes when microwaving or reheating food. Limiting the use of plastic water bottles and single-use plastic containers, especially when exposed to heat, is also advised. Routhenstein emphasized that reducing plastic exposure can be considered one component of an overall heart-healthy lifestyle.