Microplastics in blood: a new risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

A study conducted in Italy highlighted an association between the presence of microplastics in the blood of patients and the risk of myocardial infarction.

Researchers analyzed blood samples from 61 individuals, divided into three groups: patients with infarction, those with chronic ischemic heart disease, and individuals with normal coronary arteries. The results showed that 84% of patients with infarction had microplastics in their blood, compared to 40% of those with ischemic disease and 32% of those with normal arteries.

Polyethylene was the most commonly identified type of plastic. The study indicated that long-term exposure to air pollution and smoking significantly increases the likelihood of microplastics presence. Although the results do not demonstrate a direct causality between microplastics and infarction, they suggest a strong association between environmental pollution and cardiovascular diseases.

The limitations of the study include the small number of participants and the inability to establish a causal relationship. However, researchers warn that plastic pollution could be an underestimated cardiovascular risk factor.