Microplastics found in blood vessels linked to greater risk of heart problems, study finds
Micro and nanoplastics, tiny pieces of plastic scattered throughout the environment, have been increasingly found to be able to enter the body, raising questions about where they end up and how they affect people’s health. In a new study, researchers say they have for the first time detected these plastic pieces inside fatty plaques that accumulate in blood vessels and linked them to an increased rate of heart problems.
Researchers found that people who had these plastic pieces in their plaques experienced a 4.5-fold greater risk of major complications including heart attacks, strokes, or death compared to those with plastic-free plaques, according to the study, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.
