Some people, however, develop clogged arteries. Clogged arteries result from a buildup of a substance called plaque on the inner walls of the arteries. Arterial plaque can reduce blood flow or ...

The condition is “high-risk” plaque, once narrowly defined as plaque built up in the arteries that is likely to rupture, possibly leading to an acute heart attack or sudden cardiac death.

Microplastics and nanoplastics might interact with the plaque that causes heart attacks and strokes. A new study found high levels of plastic in the arterial plaque of stroke and vision-loss patients.

The degree of calcification is thought to promote plaque stability, which then potentially lowers the risk of potential rupture. Ruptured plaques can lead to the formation of a blood clot.

Clark and his team measured microplastics and nanoplastics in the dangerous, fatty plaque that can build up in arteries, block blood flow, and cause strokes or heart attacks. Compared to the walls ...