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Microplastics: A Modifiable Cardiac Risk Factor
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This review examines the emerging evidence linking microplastic exposure to cardiovascular disease risk factors, including oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and thrombosis. The study highlights that micro- and nanoplastics have been identified in coronary artery plaque, suggesting that microplastic exposure may represent a modifiable but currently underrecognized cardiac risk factor.
Globally, cardiovascular disease is the most prevalent cause of death, and there are other risk factors involved that are not captured through traditional means. We present a review of the literature on microplastic exposure and discuss the clinical implications of microplastics for cardiovascular disease. Experimental studies show that micro- and nanoplastics induce oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, thrombosis, dyslipidemia, and direct cardiotoxicity. These microplastics and nanoplastics have been identified in coronary plaque. Emerging clinical data have recently reported evidence in patients having microplastics in carotid plaques that are at a 4.5-fold increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death, in a cohort from the New England Journal of Medicine in 2024. Microplastics remain a potential modifiable risk for cardiovascular disease.
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This review pulls together existing research on tiny plastic particles found in our blood, organs, and even artery plaque. One study found people with these plastics in their artery plaque had a much higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. Scientists think the plastics may cause harmful inflammation and cell damage, though more research is needed to confirm this causes heart disease.
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This review examines emerging evidence that microplastics may pose risks to cardiovascular health, summarizing findings from laboratory and animal studies. Researchers found that microplastic exposure has been linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupted heart function in experimental settings. Given that cardiovascular disease is already the leading cause of death globally, the study suggests that microplastics as a potential contributing factor warrant urgent further investigation.
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