Study reveals 80% of microplastics found in blood clots linked to heart attack and stroke

New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) A recent study conducted by a team of scientists in China has revealed that a significant 80 per cent of microplastics were detected in blood clots, potentially contributing to serious health issues such as stroke, heart attack, and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

Microplastics, which are any type of plastic less than 5mm long, have been a growing concern both environmentally and health-wise on a global scale. The study, published in the journal eBioMedicine, analyzed blood clot samples from 30 patients and found microplastics in the cerebral and coronary arteries, as well as deep veins.

According to Tatiana Prowell, an Associate Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University in the US, who commented on the study, “Microplastics found in 80 per cent of clots retrieved from blood vessels after heart attack, stroke, or deep venous thrombosis. This is really bad news. Plastics are everywhere in modern life.”

The researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College in China emphasized the importance of further investigating the impact of microplastics on human health. They noted that the presence of microplastics in blood clots may worsen the severity of heart attacks, strokes, and DVT.

Moving forward, the researchers highlighted the need for future studies with a larger sample size to identify sources of exposure and validate the trends observed in their study. This study underscores the urgency of addressing the presence and impact of microplastics on human health.

–IANS
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