Microplastics and Heart Health: The Hidden Threat You Can’t Ignore By Marc Lobliner

By: Marc Lobliner, IFBB Pro

When we think of heart disease, we often think of poor diet, lack of exercise, or genetics. But after my eye-opening interview with cardiologist Dr. Anmol Kapoor, I learned that one of the most overlooked modern threats to cardiovascular health isn’t what you eat — it’s what’s embedded in your environment: microplastics.

Microplastics are tiny particles — less than 5mm in size — that originate from the breakdown of larger plastic products, or are manufactured at microscopic scale for commercial use. These particles are now found everywhere: in our water, our food, the air we breathe, and yes — even in our blood.

During my interview with Dr. Kapoor, he explained that microplastics are not just environmental pollutants — they’re biological disruptors. These foreign particles can cause chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and potentially disrupt endothelial function, all of which are key factors in the development of cardiovascular disease.

A groundbreaking study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (2024) found microplastics in the arterial plaque of patients with cardiovascular disease. Researchers detected plastic polymers in the carotid arteries of over 58% of participants undergoing surgery for atherosclerosis. Even more shocking — those with microplastic presence had a 4.5x greater risk of cardiovascular complications post-surgery compared to those without.

Another 2021 study published in Environmental Science & Technology discovered that the average adult consumes about 5 grams of microplastics each week — roughly the weight of a credit card. The long-term effect of this plastic load on human physiology is still being uncovered, but emerging data is disturbing.

Microplastics can disrupt the gut microbiome, impair immune response, and even breach the blood-brain barrier. When it comes to heart health, the concern lies in the inflammatory response these particles provoke once they enter the bloodstream. Chronic inflammation is a known driver of atherosclerosis, heart failure, and arrhythmias.

In animal models, microplastic exposure has been shown to alter lipid metabolism, increase blood pressure, and promote arterial plaque formation. A study in Toxicology Research (2022) revealed that lab mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics developed significant vascular dysfunction and increased cardiac fibrosis — hallmarks of long-term heart damage.

What really drove this home during my conversation with Dr. Kapoor was the idea that these tiny particles are stealthy saboteurs. You won’t feel them, you won’t taste them, and yet, they’re accumulating in your system every single day.

He stressed the need for greater awareness — not just at the environmental level, but at the personal health level. We filter our water, we take our supplements, we train hard... but how many of us are thinking about the plastics in our protein shakers, our food packaging, or even our workout clothes?

What can you do?

• Filter your water with a high-grade system capable of reducing microplastic content

• Avoid heating food in plastic containers

• Choose natural fabrics when possible — synthetic fibers shed microplastics into the air - I personally use "NADS ORGANIC UNDERWEAR". Use coupon code "Lobliner" to save some money - I LOVE THESE!

• Limit ultra-processed foods, which are often high in plastic contamination from packaging and industrial processing

• Support brands that test for contamination and use clean sourcing

This isn’t alarmism — it’s a wake-up call. After my discussion with Dr. Kapoor and digging into the research, it’s clear: microplastics are more than an environmental issue. They are a direct threat to human health — especially cardiovascular health — and we need to start treating them that way.

Because what you can’t see might just be the thing that’s silently damaging your heart.

References:

• Jenner, L.C., et al. (2024). "Detection of Microplastics in Arterial Plaques." New England Journal of Medicine.

• Senathirajah, K., et al. (2021). "Estimating the Mass of Microplastics Ingested." Environmental Science & Technology.

• Wang, Y., et al. (2022). "Microplastic-Induced Cardiovascular Toxicity in Rodents." Toxicology Research.

• World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). "Microplastics in Drinking Water."