Researchers have raised alarms over a new study that connects microplastic exposure to a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease.

According to the study, regular contact with microplastics could accelerate the development of atherosclerosis, a condition that narrows arteries and is associated with heart attacks and strokes.

Microplastics are prevalent in everyday items such as packaging, textiles, and various consumer products. They have become ubiquitous, appearing in the air, food, drinking water, and even within our bodies.

Changcheng Zhou, the study’s lead author from the University of California, noted, “Completely avoiding microplastics is nearly impossible.”

He advised, “The best approach is to lessen exposure by cutting down on plastic usage in food and drink containers, steering clear of single-use plastics, and avoiding highly processed foods.”

As there are no current methods to eliminate microplastics from the body, Zhou emphasized that reducing exposure and sustaining cardiovascular health through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and controlling risk factors is crucial.

As part of the study, which was published in Environment International journal, the team looked at the impact of microplastics on mice.

Both male and female mice were given a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet similar to what a healthy person might eat. Researchers then administered microplastics daily (10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight) for nine weeks.

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As reported by Science Daily, this amount is in line with levels that could realistically be encountered through contaminated food and water. The results reflected a sharp increase in atherosclerosis, but only in male mice.

Atherosclerosis occurs when your arteries become narrowed and hardened, making it difficult for blood to flow through them. It is typically seen in people with high cholesterol.

Male mice exposed to microplastics developed 63 per cent more plaque in the aortic root, the segment of the aorta connected to the heart, and 624 per cent more plaque in the brachiocephalic artery, a major vessel branching from the aorta in the upper chest. However, female mice exposed to the same conditions did not show significant plaque progression.

Prof Zhou commented: “Our findings fit into a broader pattern seen in cardiovascular research, where males and females often respond differently. Although the precise mechanism isn’t yet known, factors like sex chromosomes and hormones, particularly the protective effects of estrogen, may play a role.”

It was found that the microplastics did not cause weight gain or increased cholesterol in either sex. The mice stayed lean, and their lipid profiles remained the same, suggesting that obesity or high cholesterol did not explain the arterial damage.

Prof  Zhou said: “Our study provides some of the strongest evidence so far that microplastics may directly contribute to cardiovascular disease, not just correlate with it,” Zhou said.

“The surprising sex-specific effect – harming males but not females – could help researchers uncover protective factors or mechanisms that differ between men and women.”

Prof Zhou and his team acknowledged that more work is needed to determine why males appear more susceptible. There are plans to investigate whether humans show similar patterns.