Researchers examining 17 human artery samples found microplastics in every one. The particles appeared in coronary, carotid, and aortic tissue, with higher concentrations found in arteries containing dangerous fatty plaques. Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, was the most common plastic detected — the same material widely used in food packaging, beverage bottles, and synthetic clothing.
The small study cannot prove that microplastics cause clogged arteries, but it adds to a troubling pattern. Separate research involving 257 people found plastic particles in nearly 60% of surgically removed carotid plaques. Those with microplastics or nanoplastics in their plaques experienced a higher rate of heart attack, stroke, or death during roughly three years of follow-up, although the observational findings cannot establish cause and effect.
Plastic exposure is nearly impossible to eliminate, but that does not mean you are powerless. Avoid heating food in plastic, replace bottled water with filtered water stored in glass or stainless steel, and choose fresh foods over plastic-wrapped products whenever practical. Synthetic clothing can also shed plastic fibers, making natural fabrics a better option when available. Each individual change may seem small, but together they can reduce the steady stream of plastic entering your food, water, and air.
SOURCE:
ScienceAlert, August 3, 2026