Greenzy

Out of 150 patients with carotid artery plaque, 58.4% of patients had plaques containing Polyethylene, and an additional 12.1% showed measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride.

Atherosclerosis, the accumulation of plaque in arteries, is a leading cause of mortality in Western societies. Researchers from the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Italy have found microplastics within arterial plaques. Individuals with microplastics in their arterial plaque were 4.5 times more likely to experience a heart attack, stroke, or death within about 34 months after their carotid endarterectomy surgery compared to those without plastics in their plaque.

Atherosclerosis occurs when the insides of the body’s arteries become clogged with a buildup of cholesterol and fats, known as plaque. Researchers estimate that about 50% of all deaths in Western society are caused by this condition. People with atherosclerosis are at a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, as well as other conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and obesity. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that about 60% of study participants who had received a carotid endarterectomy had measurable amounts of polyethylene in the plaques removed from their arteries. Additionally, as many as 12% had polyvinyl chloride in their plaques. It’s thought that the presence of microplastics in arterial plaque significantly increases the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, emphasizing the need for further research into this phenomenon and its implications for cardiovascular health.

Read the Published Paper HERE