Study finds alarming level of microplastics in heart attack patients’ blood - The Hill

What the report says

The Hill, citing a recent study, reported that people suffering severe heart attacks may have higher levels of microplastics and nanoplastics in their blood than other cardiac patients. The article, published July 28, said researchers in Italy examined blood taken from the coronary arteries of 61 patients who were undergoing angiograms.

According to The Hill, plastic particles were detected in 84 percent of patients experiencing an active, severe heart attack. The rate was lower among comparison groups: 40 percent among patients with chronic heart disease and 32 percent among those whose coronary arteries were normal. Among patients who tested positive for the particles, polyethylene — a widely used plastic found in products such as bags and bottles — appeared in 97 percent of cases.

The Hill also reported that researchers found an association between smoking history and the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in the bloodstream. The researchers suggested smoking could help particles enter the body through the lungs, and that air pollution may have a similar role. Lead researcher Emanuele Barbato cautioned that the findings do not establish that microplastics cause heart attacks, but said they point to a notable link among environmental exposure, plastics in blood and cardiovascular disease.

The report adds to growing scientific concern about how tiny plastic particles may affect human health. Based on the information provided, the study appears limited in size and observational in nature, meaning larger studies would be needed to clarify whether microplastics contribute to heart attacks or are instead a marker of other risk factors.