Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Weathered microplastics in human blood: unraveling the effect of structural changes at the particle surface on coagulation and platelet activation

Researchers exposed human whole blood to microplastics that had been artificially aged to simulate real environmental weathering, finding that weathered plastics like polystyrene, PVC, and PET triggered significantly stronger blood clotting and platelet activation than fresh plastic particles. The findings suggest that the longer plastic sits in the environment and degrades, the more dangerous it may become to human cardiovascular health.

2025 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Effects on Thrombin–Fibrinogen Clotting Dynamics Measured via Turbidity and Thromboelastography

Researchers found that microplastics directly altered fibrin clot formation dynamics in a human thrombin-fibrinogen model, with effects varying by plastic type, size, and concentration, suggesting potential impacts on blood clotting and cardiovascular health.

2022 Biomolecules 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental microplastic and nanoplastic: Exposure routes and effects on coagulation and the cardiovascular system

This review explores how environmental microplastic and nanoplastic particles may affect blood coagulation and the cardiovascular system in humans. Researchers summarized evidence suggesting that plastic particles can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, potentially triggering inflammatory responses in blood vessels. The study highlights the need for more research on how chronic exposure to these tiny plastic particles may contribute to cardiovascular health risks.

2021 Environmental Pollution 168 citations
Article Tier 2

PB1065 Microvesicles Display Opposite Coagulolytic Balances According to Their Cellular Origin and Activation Status

Polystyrene microplastics activated human vascular endothelial cells, upregulating inflammation markers ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and promoted larger and denser blood clot formation when added to whole blood perfused over collagen at concentrations found in human plasma. These results raise concern that microplastics circulating in human blood could increase the risk of thrombosis and cardiovascular events.

2023 Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Article Tier 2

Micro- and nanoplastics: A new cardiovascular risk factor?

This review examines the growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics may pose risks to the heart and blood vessels. Studies in animals and cell cultures show that these tiny plastic particles can enter the bloodstream, trigger inflammation, promote blood clotting, and damage blood vessel walls. While human data is still limited, the review suggests that micro- and nanoplastic exposure should be considered a potential new risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

2022 Environment International 227 citations
Article Tier 2

Multimodal detection and analysis of microplastics in human thrombi from multiple anatomically distinct sites

This study used multiple detection methods to find and analyze microplastics in blood clots (thrombi) collected from different locations in the human body. The detection of microplastics within blood clots from various anatomical sites suggests that plastic particles may play a role in clot formation. This research adds to mounting evidence linking microplastic presence in the cardiovascular system to potential heart and stroke risks.

2024 EBioMedicine 100 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic particles in human blood and their association with coagulation markers

In a study of 36 healthy adults, microplastics were detected in the blood of 89% of participants, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types found. Higher microplastic levels were associated with changes in blood clotting markers, suggesting that plastic particles in our bloodstream may affect how our blood coagulates, though larger studies are needed to confirm this link.

2024 Scientific Reports 72 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Cureus 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Emerging cardiovascular risks of micro- and nanoplastics: toxic effects and mechanistic pathways

Tiny plastic particles called micro- and nanoplastics are getting into our bodies through food, air, and skin contact, and researchers have found them building up in people's hearts and blood vessels. This review of existing studies shows these plastic bits may contribute to heart disease by causing inflammation and damaging cells in the cardiovascular system. While more research is needed, this suggests that plastic pollution isn't just an environmental problem—it could be directly harming our heart health.

2026 Particle and Fibre Toxicology
Article Tier 2

Effects of micro- and nanoplastics on blood cells in vitro and cardiovascular parameters in vivo, considering their presence in the human bloodstream and potential impact on blood pressure

This review examines evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can enter the human bloodstream and interact with blood cells, with plastic particles already detected in human blood, blood clots, and artery plaques. While direct evidence linking microplastics to blood pressure changes in humans is still lacking, animal studies and the mechanisms identified -- including blood vessel damage and inflammation -- suggest cardiovascular effects are plausible.

2025 Environmental Research 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Microfluidic-based in vitro thrombosis model for studying microplastics toxicity

Researchers developed a microfluidic-based thrombosis model to study how microplastics interact with the vascular system. Using both a mouse model and an on-chip system, the study found that microplastic exposure led to accumulation in the blood and decreased binding of fibrin to platelets, suggesting a potential risk of thrombus instability in blood flow.

2022 Lab on a Chip 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Kinetics and toxicity of nanoplastics in ex vivo exposed human whole blood as a model to understand their impact on human health

Researchers exposed human whole blood to five types of nanoplastics and found that immune cells, especially monocytes, readily absorbed the particles, triggering oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Different plastic types caused different effects: some triggered blood clotting, others caused red blood cell damage, and PLA (a "biodegradable" plastic) was among the most reactive. This study provides direct evidence that nanoplastics reaching the human bloodstream can disrupt immune cells, blood clotting, and inflammation.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics enhance thrombosis through adsorption of plasma proteins

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics can enter the bloodstream and increase the risk of blood clots by adsorbing key clotting proteins, particularly coagulation factor XII and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. This protein-adsorption mechanism was confirmed through multiple analytical approaches. The discovery of this thrombosis-promoting pathway is concerning because it suggests that nanoplastic exposure could increase cardiovascular risks like stroke and heart attack.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 13 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro-nanoplastics and cardiovascular diseases: evidence and perspectives

Growing evidence suggests that micro- and nanoplastic particles may be a previously unrecognized risk factor for heart disease, as they have been detected in atherosclerotic plaques, heart tissue, and blood clots in humans. Lab studies show these particles can trigger oxidative stress, promote blood clotting, and cause inflammation in blood vessel cells, and their presence in artery plaques has been linked to higher rates of cardiovascular events.

2024 European Heart Journal 88 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and Cardiovascular Disease: Should Clinicians Be Paying Attention?

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.

2025 Current Cardiology Reports
Article Tier 2

Microplastics, Nanoplastics and Heart Contamination: The Hidden Threat

This review examines growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can accumulate in human cardiovascular tissues, including blood, heart muscle, and arterial plaques. Researchers found that these particles may contribute to heart and blood vessel problems through inflammation, oxidative stress, blood clotting, and direct tissue injury. The study identifies plastic particles as a potential new environmental risk factor for cardiovascular health.

2025 Journal of Clinical Medicine 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Detrimental effects of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) on platelet and neutrophil immunity: Recent findings and emerging insights

Researchers reviewed how micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) harm the immune system, finding that tiny plastic particles can trigger dangerous inflammation in platelets and neutrophils — immune cells that control clotting and infection defense. These effects could disrupt normal blood vessel function and immune balance, though the exact mechanisms by which cells take up MNPs remain poorly understood.

2025 KOBRA Reports
Article Tier 2

Exploring microplastic impact on whole blood clotting dynamics utilizing thromboelastography

Researchers used a blood clotting analysis technique to study how polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and surface types affect human blood clotting. They found that negatively charged particles consistently activated the clotting process, increasing both the speed and strength of clot formation in a size-dependent manner. The findings highlight that microplastic surface chemistry and particle size play important roles in how these particles might interact with blood.

2023 Frontiers in Public Health 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Tiny trouble: microplastics, nanoplastics, and their heartfelt impact on cardiovascular health

This review summarizes growing evidence that microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in human heart tissue, arterial plaques, and blood, and may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Lab studies show these particles can damage blood vessel walls, disrupt cholesterol processing, trigger inflammation, and promote blood clot formation, raising serious concerns about heart health.

2025 Cardiovascular Research 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Journey of micronanoplastics with blood components

This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of how micro- and nanoplastics interact with blood components after entering the human bloodstream. Researchers found that these particles can cause protein damage, red blood cell destruction, immune system activation, and blood clotting abnormalities. The findings highlight that microplastics in the bloodstream may pose a range of health risks beyond the organs where they initially enter the body.

2023 RSC Advances 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro- and nanoplastics are elevated in femoral atherosclerotic plaques compared with undiseased arteries

Researchers found significantly higher concentrations of microplastics and nanoplastics in diseased arterial plaques from human patients with limb-threatening vascular disease compared to healthy arteries, adding to growing evidence that these particles accumulate in cardiovascular tissue and may play a role in artery disease.

2025 JVS Vascular Science 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events

This landmark clinical study found that patients with micro- and nanoplastics detected in their carotid artery plaque had a significantly higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death over a 34-month follow-up period compared to those without detectable plastics. This is one of the first studies to directly link microplastic presence in human blood vessels to worse cardiovascular outcomes. The findings suggest that plastic accumulation in arteries may be an important and previously unrecognized risk factor for heart disease.

2024 New England Journal of Medicine 843 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Micro- and Nanoplastics as a Potential Risk Factor for Stroke: A Systematic Review

This systematic review assessed the potential link between micro- and nanoplastics and stroke risk. It found that plastic particles have been detected in human blood vessels and arterial plaques, and may contribute to inflammation and blood vessel damage — factors that could increase the risk of stroke.

2026 Journal of Xenobiotics