Microplastics and cardiovascular risk

Preclinical studies suggest that microplastics and nanoplastics may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In this prospective multicenter observational study, researchers analyzed data from 257 patients with coronary artery disease, followed for an average of 33.7 months. Polyethylene was detected in the plaque of the carotid artery in 150 patients. 31 patients also had measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride. Patients for whom traces of microplastics were detected in atherosclerotic plaques had a higher risk of myocardial infarction, stroke or all-cause mortality during follow-up.