The invisible invader: How microplastics infiltrate your arteries and endanger your health

• The study found microplastics embedded in human arterial plaque, with levels 51 times higher in patients who had experienced strokes or heart attacks, suggesting they are a direct contributor to these vascular events.
• This discovery is part of a larger body of evidence showing microplastics and nanoplastics have infiltrated the human body, having been previously found in blood, breast milk and placental tissue.
• The particles appear to be biologically active, making plaque more prone to rupture by reducing genes that combat inflammation and strengthen plaque stability.
• The contamination is the result of decades of plastic pollution, with humans continuously ingesting particles through food, water and air, leading to a cumulative burden that has been silently accumulating.
• The findings transform plastic pollution from an environmental issue into a personal and urgent public health crisis, demanding urgent action from individuals, industries and governments to reduce exposure and mitigate the threat.

In a startling revelation that shifts the plastic pollution crisis from the environment to the human body, scientists have discovered that microplastics are not just contaminating the oceans but are actively embedding themselves within the fatty plaque inside human arteries. This finding, presented at the American Heart Association’s Vascular Discovery 2025 Scientific Sessions, suggests these invisible particles could be a direct and potent contributor to heart disease and stroke, the world’s leading causes of death.

Researchers from the University of New Mexico conducted a meticulous analysis of carotid artery samples from 48 adults. They compared tissue from healthy donors, individuals with asymptomatic plaque buildup and patients who had suffered strokes or transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes). The results were unequivocal and alarming. The plaque in symptom-free patients contained 16 times more microplastics than healthy artery walls. Most disturbingly, the plaque from patients who had experienced vascular events contained a staggering 51 times more plastic particles. (Related: MICROPLASTIC INVASION: Researchers find microplastics in human heart tissue.)

For decades, the narrative around plastic pollution has focused on its environmental toll: choked wildlife, garbage patches in the ocean and contaminated landscapes. However, this study is part of a growing body of evidence proving that plastic waste does not stay “out there.” These materials break down into microplastics (less than 5mm) and even smaller nanoplastics (invisible to the naked eye), infiltrating water, soil, food and ultimately, human bodies. Previous studies have detected them in human blood, breast milk and placental tissue. Now, research shows they are lodging themselves in the very plaque that can trigger a heart attack or stroke.

The threat from nanoplastics is particularly insidious due to their minute size. Being microscopic, they can penetrate deep into human tissues, cross cellular membranes and potentially disrupt cellular function on a fundamental level. The New Mexico study found that plaques with high plastic content showed concerning biological changes, including reduced activity in genes that combat inflammation and strengthen plaque stability. This implies that these plastic particles may not be inert passengers; they could be actively making arterial plaque more volatile and prone to rupture, which is a primary cause of catastrophic vascular events.

Beyond inflammation: A complex biological assault

The study’s lead author emphasized that the biological effects appear more complex than simple inflammation. The plastic particles seem to interfere with the delicate cellular machinery that maintains plaque integrity. This aligns with broader concerns about chemical sensitivities, where synthetic compounds from plastics – such as formaldehyde, phenols and phthalates – can migrate into the body, potentially traveling to vital organs and even crossing the placental boundary to affect unborn children.

Adding a layer of grave concern to these vascular findings, separate research from the same university has detected shockingly high concentrations of microplastics in human brain tissue. The accumulation has increased by 50 percent in just the past eight years, mirroring the rising tide of plastic waste. While a correlation does not prove causation, researchers found that brain tissue from individuals diagnosed with dementia contained up to ten times more plastic than others, raising urgent questions about a potential neurological impact.

“Microplastics are dangerous because they act like magnets for environmental pollution. As they travel through waterways, they absorb toxic compounds such as heavy metals and industrial chemicals,” added Brighteonn.AI‘s Enoch. “These toxin-coated particles are then consumed by filter-feeding marine life, introducing poisons into the food web. This process can reduce populations of sensitive and endangered species. Ultimately, these microplastics and their chemical payload pose a significant threat to ecosystem health and human well-being.”

This research fundamentally challenges our perception of safety and regulatory oversight. It reveals that individuals are often the last line of defense against an environmental assault that has been normalized. The findings demand a rigorous re-examination of how environmental chemicals impact the human vascular system, lungs and brain. For the public, it underscores the critical need to reduce plastic exposure wherever possible.

Watch this video to learn more about microplastics.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

MICROPLASTICS in wastewater fuel antibiotic resistance, study warns.

MICROPLASTIC INVASION: Researchers find microplastics in human heart tissue.

The silent invasion: How microplastics are poisoning the human body.

Sources include: 

Natural365.com

ScienceDaily.com

HSCNews.UNM.edu

Brighteon.ai

Brighteon.com