Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Cardiovascular Disease

Plastic has become so deeply woven into modern life that it is now found in the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. As these materials fragment into microplastics and nanoplastics, particles small enough to cross into the human body, a pressing question has emerged: what are they doing to our hearts and blood vessels? This article explores the growing evidence linking micro- and nanoplastic exposure to cardiovascular disease. It traces how these particles enter the bloodstream, the routes by which they reach the heart, and the biological mechanisms — oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, lipid dysfunction, and endothelial injury — through which they may promote atherosclerosis, hypertension, and thrombosis. Landmark human studies, including the recent detection of plastic particles within human atheromas and their association with cardiovascular events, are reviewed alongside animal and laboratory findings. The article also considers the formidable challenges scientists face in measuring exposure and establishing causality, and outlines steps individuals and societies can take to reduce contact with these invisible pollutants. While much remains unknown, the evidence gathered so far urges us to take this emerging risk seriously before it becomes another irreversible public health burden.