Plastics found in carotid plaque have been linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and early death. A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine not only found microplastic particles in some patients with carotid stenosis (a narrowing of arteries that bring blood to the brain) but also found that these patients are more likely to experience adverse cardiovascular events than those without plastic particles.
“Plastics can be found in anything these days: water bottles, cups, clothing, cosmetics. The highest proportion of these plastics that come into our bodies is probably from plastic pollution. These particles have been found in other organ systems, including the liver, the lungs, breast milk, and blood itself. They have noxious side effects, and this is further evidence that microplastics are just part of our ecosystem at this point,” says Isaac George, MD.
In this video, Dr. Isaac George, heart surgeon and Surgical Director of the Structural Heart and Valve Center, explains what you need to know.
Key Takeaways:
- Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) detected in carotid artery plaque were associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events like myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke.
- The study, conducted on patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, utilized advanced techniques like pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and electron microscopy to detect MNPs in plaque specimens.
- These findings highlight the potential role of plastic pollution in cardiovascular disease, underscoring the importance of further research and potential interventions to mitigate this emerging health risk.