A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shed light on the potential impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on heart health. The study, conducted in Italy, examined 257 individuals who underwent surgery to clear blocked blood vessels in their necks. Researchers found evidence of plastics, particularly nanoplastics, in the artery plaque of 150 patients, while no plastics were detected in 107 patients.
Over a three-year follow-up period, individuals with plastic particles in their blood vessels were found to have a higher incidence of heart attacks, strokes, or death compared to those without plastics. Additionally, these individuals exhibited signs of increased inflammation, a known risk factor for cardiovascular events.
