Microplastics and nanoplastics were detected in the blood of nearly 84% of patients undergoing procedures for active, severe heart attacks, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal. The research analyzed blood samples from the coronary arteries of 61 patients.
Researchers found that plastic particles were present in 40% of patients with chronic heart disease and 32% of those with normal coronary arteries. Polyethylene, a common plastic found in bags and bottles, was detected in 97% of the patients who tested positive for any plastic particles.
The study was led by Dr. Raffaele Marfella of the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Naples, Italy. While the findings are significant, experts advise caution in interpreting the results.
"This study adds to emerging research showing the potential role of micro- and nanoplastics in heart disease," said Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished.com, who was not involved in the study. "While these findings are interesting and highlight the importance of paying attention to environmental factors that may contribute to inflammation and blood vessel injury, they do not prove that plastics cause heart attacks."
Routhenstein noted that the study is observational, meaning it can only show an association and not a cause-and-effect relationship. She also pointed out that the study involved a relatively small group of patients from a single country, which limits the generalizability of the findings.
Previous research has detected microplastics in arterial plaque, aligning with these new findings. However, health and environmental variables can complicate the data. The study indicated that a history of smoking was the strongest predictor of detectable plastic particles in the blood. "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 explained.
To reduce potential exposure, Routhenstein recommends assessing daily sources of microplastics and opting for alternatives. Suggestions include using glass food storage containers instead of plastic ones, avoiding plastic when microwaving or reheating food, and limiting the use of plastic water bottles and single-use plastic containers, especially when exposed to heat. She emphasized that reducing plastic exposure can be considered one component of an overall heart-healthy lifestyle.