Nearly 84% of patients experiencing severe heart attacks had detectable micro- and nanoplastics in their blood, according to a new study that adds to growing evidence linking plastic pollution to cardiovascular risks.

The research, led by Italian scientists and published in the European Heart Journal, analyzed blood samples from 61 patients undergoing angiograms—a procedure that examines blood vessels for blockages. The findings suggest a stark contrast: while 84% of acute heart attack patients tested positive for plastics, only 32% of those with normal coronary arteries showed similar results.

Study Details and Key Findings

The study was conducted by Dr. Raffaele Marfella and his team at the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Naples. Researchers focused on patients with three distinct conditions: severe heart attacks, chronic heart disease, and normal coronary arteries.

Among those who tested positive for plastics, polyethylene—the material commonly used in plastic bags and bottles—was found in 97% of cases. The study also identified smoking as the strongest predictor of detectable plastic particles in the blood, complicating efforts to isolate microplastics as an independent risk factor.

  • 84% of severe heart attack patients had micro- or nanoplastics in their blood
  • 40% of chronic heart disease patients tested positive for plastics
  • 32% of patients with normal coronary arteries had detectable plastics
  • Polyethylene was present in 97% of positive cases

Expert Reactions and Study Limitations

Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished.com, emphasized that while the findings are significant, they do not prove causation. "This study adds to emerging research showing the potential role of micro- and nanoplastics in heart disease," she told Fox News Digital. "However, it remains an observational study, meaning it can only show an association, not a direct cause-and-effect relationship."

Routhenstein, who was not involved in the research, also noted that the study’s small sample size—limited to patients in Italy—means the results may not apply universally. Other factors, such as smoking and air pollution, are already linked to both cardiovascular disease and higher plastic exposure, making it difficult to separate their individual effects.

What This Means for Public Health

The study aligns with previous research detecting microplastics in arterial plaque, reinforcing concerns about the long-term health impacts of plastic pollution. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, experts suggest reducing plastic exposure as part of a broader heart-healthy lifestyle.

Routhenstein recommends practical steps to limit daily exposure, such as replacing plastic food storage containers with glass, avoiding microwaving food in plastic, and reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottles—especially when exposed to heat.

Further research is needed to determine whether microplastics directly contribute to heart disease or merely serve as a marker for other environmental risks. For now, health authorities and scientists continue to monitor the potential consequences of plastic pollution on cardiovascular health.