New Study Finds Nanoplastics in Artery Plaque Linked to Stroke and Heart Attack Risk
A new study has found that nanoplastics — ultra-tiny fragments of plastic — are accumulating in the fatty plaque that clogs arteries supplying blood to the brain. The discovery may reshape how researchers think about stroke and heart attack risk, pointing to plastic pollution as a potential new factor in cardiovascular health.
Key Findings
- Researchers analyzed carotid artery tissue from 48 adults, including stroke survivors, asymptomatic patients with artery plaque, and healthy donors.
- Plaque from stroke survivors contained 51 times more micro- and nanoplastics than healthy artery walls.
- Even asymptomatic plaque had 16 times more than healthy tissue.
- These particles are so small — less than 1,000 nanometers wide — that they can infiltrate cells and tissues undetected.
How Nanoplastics Enter the Body
Nanoplastics come from the breakdown of larger plastic items in the environment. They enter the food chain through contaminated water and food, and their tiny size allows them to penetrate deep into organs and tissues, including blood vessels.
Why It Matters
The findings are preliminary and more research is needed, but experts say this could open a new chapter in understanding — and potentially preventing — stroke and heart attack. Dr. Karen Furie of Brown University has noted that plastic exposure may become a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the future.
Takeaway
Micro- and nanoplastics are now found throughout the environment, and in our bodies. This study links higher levels of nanoplastics in artery plaque to greater stroke and heart attack risk, and reducing plastic exposure could become a new focus for heart health in the years ahead. As research continues, regular cardiovascular screening remains one of the most reliable ways to catch developing risk early.