2 months ago
Study Links Heart Attacks to Microplastics in Blood
Scientists in Italy found tiny plastic pieces, called microplastics, in the blood of people who had heart attacks.
They also noticed that smokers, especially those exposed to a lot of air pollution, had more of these plastics in their blood.
This might mean that smoking helps these tiny plastics get into our blood.
However, the study doesn't prove that these plastics cause heart attacks.
It just shows that they are there more often in people who had heart attacks.
The scientists think that smoking and pollution might work together to make these plastics get into our blood more easily.
They also remind us that smoking is very bad for our health in many ways.
Microplastics found in the blood supplying the heart, with higher levels in heart attack patients.
Smokers, especially those exposed to high air pollution, had more detectable microplastics in their heart blood.
Polyethylene, commonly used in packaging, was the most frequently detected plastic.
Higher levels of inflammatory markers were observed in patients with detectable plastics.
The study does not prove that microplastics cause heart attacks, but it suggests a possible link.
- Who
- Researchers in Italy and patients undergoing coronary angiography
- What
- Study on microplastics in heart blood supply and their link to heart attacks
- Where
- Italy
- When
- Published in the European Heart Journal
- Why
- To investigate the presence and potential impact of microplastics in the heart's blood supply
Key facts
- Study Location
- Italy
- Journal
- European Heart Journal
- Participants
- 61 patients undergoing coronary angiography
- Microplastics Detection
- 84% in heart attack patients, 40% in chronic coronary disease, 32% in normal arteries
- Most Common Plastic
- Polyethylene (packaging)
- Smokers with High Pollution
- 100% had detectable plastics
- Non-Smokers with Low Pollution
- 12.5% had detectable plastics
Quotes
David C. Gaze
Senior Lecturer in Chemical Pathology, University of Westminster
“This small study doesn't prove plastics caused heart disease, but it does remind us that smoking is more than a source of toxic chemicals. It may also be helping transport another modern pollutant to places in the body we never expected to find it.”
NDTV








