Patients Who Suffer Heart Attack Have More Micro and Nanoplastic in Their Blood

Sophia Antipolis, France – 15 July 2026: People who have suffered a serious heart attack had higher levels of micro and nanoplastics in their blood, compared to patients diagnosed with chronic ischemic heart disease and those who have normal blood vessels supplying the heart, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal [1] today (Wednesday).

The study also revealed that people who smoke and people exposed to higher levels of air pollution had higher levels of micro and nanoplastics in their blood.

The researchers say the study adds to growing evidence that environmental pollution may affect cardiovascular health.

This study is a collaboration between researchers at Sapienza University of Rome, University of Verona and the Research Centre on Environmental Pollution and Cardiovascular Diseases at the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” in Naples, Italy, a centre dedicated to understanding how environmental pollutants influence cardiovascular health.

The first author of the study Dr Pasquale Paolisso from Sant’Andrea Hospital Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, said: “Micro and nanoplastics are tiny plastic particles that are found virtually everywhere in the environment, including the air we breathe, the water we drink, and many foods we consume. In recent years, scientists have begun to detect these particles in human tissues and organs, raising concerns about their potential health effects”.