Microplastics Heart Attack Risk: Heart attack cases have increased rapidly in the past few years. Now, a new discovery has emerged regarding heart attacks in men. Let us explain this in detail.

Microplastics and Cardiovascular Disease: Heart attack cases have risen sharply in the past few years. Now, a new study on microplastics has raised concerns. According to the research, these tiny plastic particles can accumulate in the body's arteries and increase the risk of heart disease, especially in men. Microplastics are plastic particles that can range in size from one-thousandth of a millimeter to five millimeters. Today, these particles are present everywhere, such as in food and drinks, water, and even the air. Scientists have already shown that these particles can enter the blood and accumulate in vital organs of the body.

What did the new research reveal?

Research to date has linked microplastics to hormonal disruption, fertility, neurological damage, cancer, and heart disease. However, regarding heart disease, it was unclear whether microplastics directly damage arteries or are only found in association with the disease. According to Changcheng Zhou, a biomedical sciences professor at the University of California, Riverside and author of the study, this study is some of the strongest evidence to date that shows that microplastics are not only linked to heart disease but may also directly exacerbate it. He also noted that the study found a striking difference in effects between men and women, which could help in future research into how protective mechanisms work differently in both sexes.

On whom was the study done?

In this research, scientists studied mice genetically predisposed to atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by plaque buildup in the arteries. Both male and female mice were fed a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet, similar to a healthy, fit human diet. However, for nine weeks, these mice were exposed to microplastics in proportion to their body weight, approximately equivalent to the amount humans receive from contaminated food and water. During this time, the mice experienced no weight gain or increased cholesterol levels, yet their arteries were damaged. 

How much impact does it have on men?

The study found the most significant differences between male and female mice. Male mice exposed to microplastics experienced a 63% increase in plaque in the main artery leading to the heart, while another artery in the upper chest showed a more than sevenfold increase. However, no such significant increase was observed in female mice. Further investigation revealed that microplastics disrupted the behavior and balance of arterial cells. Endothelial cells, which form the inner lining of blood vessels, were particularly affected. Scientists are now investigating why the effects of microplastics were greater in male mice and whether similar differences are observed in humans.