We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics and Cardiovascular Disease: Should Clinicians Be Paying Attention?
Summary
This clinical review summarizes evidence for microplastics as a cardiovascular risk factor, noting that they have been detected in human cardiovascular tissues and that in vitro and animal studies link them to oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and platelet disruption, while cautioning that human evidence remains associative.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide clinicians with a concise introduction of microplastics potential role as a cardiovascular risk factor. RECENT FINDINGS: Microplastics have been identified in human cardiovascular tissues. In vitro and animal-based studies associate microplastics presence with increased oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, platelet aggregation disruption, and low-grade inflammation. Small human studies report associations between intraplaque or circulating microplastics and cardiovascular outcomes. However, these signals are associative, method-dependent, and vulnerable to exposure misclassification, co-pollutant confounding, contamination, and heterogeneous analytics. Microplastics are pervasive and biologically plausible as a cardiovascular risk factor, supported by growing in-vitro evidence and incipient human association studies. Cohesive population-level measures to curb MP pollution should be embedded within policies addressing broader environmental cardiovascular risk factors. For clinicians, it remains premature to recommend personal-level mitigation strategies, and MPs are best regarded as an emerging exposure within the patient's exposome that warrants awareness and further rigorous studies.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics. a New Risk Factor for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
This paper reviews emerging evidence linking microplastic exposure to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, noting that MPs have been detected in arterial plaques and human tissues and may contribute to cardiovascular risk through inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial disruption.
Micro and Nano-plastic particles: What are they and do they effect cardiovascular health?
This review examines the cardiovascular health effects of micro- and nanoplastics, summarizing evidence that these particles have been detected in human tissues including arterial plaques and may promote endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. The authors call for further clinical and epidemiological research into cardiac risk.
Impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on cardiovascular health
This review examines the emerging evidence on how microplastics and nanoplastics may affect cardiovascular health. The study discusses clinical evidence suggesting that these particles can accumulate in the cardiovascular system and highlights possible molecular mechanisms including inflammation and oxidative stress, while noting that current evidence linking microplastics to cardiovascular disease remains largely correlative.
Microplastics: A Modifiable Cardiac Risk Factor
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.
Evidence, Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications of Microplastics and Nanoplastics As Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Narrative Review
This review examines growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics may contribute to cardiovascular health risks, with researchers having found these particles in human artery plaques and blood clots. Evidence indicates that the particles can enter the bloodstream, trigger inflammation, damage blood vessel walls, and potentially increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. While the evidence is not yet conclusive, the study highlights an emerging area of concern that warrants further investigation into how everyday plastic exposure may affect heart and blood vessel health.