Microplastics Found in Every Artery Sample, Study Raises Cardiovascular Questions

A Chinese-led study analyzed 17 arterial samples from surgical procedures and detected microplastics in all of them, with higher levels in arteries containing fatty plaques (coronary and carotid) than in the aorta; PET was the dominant plastic. While the findings raise concerns about potential cardiovascular effects, the researchers caution that a direct causal link isn’t proven and call for further study, alongside other 2024 findings that microplastics may associate with arterial plaques and stroke risk.