(NaturalHealth365)  We’ve all seen shocking photos of ocean garbage patches and sea turtles trapped in plastic rings.  But a new study suggests plastic pollution isn’t just an environmental crisis – it may also be a direct threat to your arteries and brain.

Researchers at the University of New Mexico, presenting at the American Heart Association’s Vascular Discovery 2025 Scientific Sessions, have found that micro- and nanoplastics – tiny fragments invisible to the naked eye – are building up inside artery-clogging plaque in the neck.  Even more troubling, the highest concentrations were found in people who had suffered strokes or other vascular events.

Study uncovers the link between microplastics and heart disease

The team analyzed carotid artery samples from 48 adults, including:

• Tissue donors with healthy arteries,
• People with plaque but no symptoms, and
• People with plaque who had experienced a stroke, mini-stroke, or temporary vision loss.

The results were stark:

• Plaque in symptom-free patients contained 16 times more microplastics than healthy arteries.
• Plaque in patients who had strokes contained 51 times more microplastics than healthy arteries.

These aren’t random traces either – the particles were embedded directly in the fatty buildup that narrows arteries and restricts blood flow.

Why your heart may be at greater risk than you think

For years, researchers have warned that microplastics don’t just stay in the ocean – they move through soil, water, food, and eventually, into our bodies.  Previous studies have found plastic particles in human blood, breast milk, and even the placenta.  Now, this new evidence shows they may also lodge themselves in arterial plaque – the very deposits that drive heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death worldwide.

Unlike larger toxins, nanoplastics are so small that they can penetrate deep into tissues, even crossing cellular membranes.  In this study, plaques with high plastic content showed changes in gene activity: fewer protective, anti-inflammatory signals and weaker plaque-stabilizing responses.  That means plastics may be making plaque more unstable and dangerous.

Natural solutions for a healthy heart

While the findings on plastics in arteries are alarming, you’re not powerless.  The same natural strategies that strengthen cardiovascular health can help your body stay more resilient against modern environmental stressors:

Eat a heart-protective diet rich in colorful organic vegetables, leafy greens, berries, beans, and healthy fats like olive oil and omega-3s.

Support your gut microbiome with fiber and fermented foods – research shows gut balance plays a critical role in inflammation and plaque stability.

Stay active daily, even with simple movement like brisk walking, stretching, or bodyweight exercises that boost circulation and protect artery health.

Manage stress naturally through practices such as deep breathing, prayer, meditation, or spending time in nature to lower blood pressure and reduce vascular strain.

Prioritize restorative sleep, which is when your body repairs blood vessels and reduces harmful inflammation.

These practical, natural steps not only lower your risk of stroke and heart disease but also support whole-body health – helping you feel stronger, more energized, and better protected in the long run.

A proven path to protect your heart

If this research leaves you concerned about hidden threats to your cardiovascular health, you’re not alone.  The good news is, there are powerful, natural strategies you can start using today to protect your arteries, lower your risk, and strengthen your heart.

That’s exactly what you’ll discover in Jonathan Landsman’s Cardiovascular Docu-Class – a comprehensive collection of expert-led presentations designed to help you take back control of your heart health.  Order the Cardiovascular Docu-Class today and put proven, science-backed strategies for heart health right at your fingertips – for yourself and for the people you love.

Sources for this article include:

Sciencedaily.com