Many people have heard of BPA, a chemical used in plastics and personal care items. It has been the subject of health warnings for years.
What you may not know is that this chemical could be affecting your heart in ways that are hard to detect but possibly dangerous.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine have found new evidence linking BPA exposure to changes in how the heart’s electrical system works.
These changes could affect the rhythm of your heartbeat.
This study is important because it shows, for the first time in a large group of people, that this common chemical might be interfering with the heart’s normal function.
BPA stands for bisphenol A. It’s part of a group of chemicals called phenols. You can find BPA in many everyday products: plastic water bottles, the lining of canned foods, store receipts, eyeglass lenses, baby bottles, and even some makeup products.
Because it is so common, it’s not surprising that almost 90% of Americans have some BPA in their bodies.
In the study, researchers looked at 600 people. Each person gave a urine sample to measure BPA levels, and had an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check their heart rhythms. The results showed that people with higher levels of BPA had more changes in their heart’s electrical activity.
This is a big deal because your heart depends on tiny electrical signals to beat in a steady rhythm. If those signals are disturbed, the heart might beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. In serious cases, this could lead to fainting, heart attacks, or even sudden death.
Dr. Jack Rubinstein, a heart doctor involved in the study, explained that for most healthy people, these changes may not cause problems. But for people who are older or have certain genes, BPA exposure could be more harmful.
This study was led by Dr. Hong-Sheng Wang, who teaches in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neurobiology at the university. He explained that phenols like BPA are found in so many things that it’s almost impossible to avoid them completely.
Until now, most studies on BPA and heart health have been done on animals or in small groups of people. This research is the first large study to link BPA to changes in heart rhythms in the general population.
The researchers say that more studies are needed to understand exactly who is at the greatest risk. They also want to learn how to help people reduce their exposure in daily life.
In reviewing the study, it’s clear that BPA is more than just a chemical used in plastic—it may be a hidden risk to heart health. The study found a clear connection between higher BPA levels and altered heart rhythms. While healthy people might not be in immediate danger, those with other risk factors could be more vulnerable.
This research opens the door to a new area of health science that connects environmental chemicals with the body’s electrical systems. It’s a reminder that what we touch and use every day can have lasting effects on our health—even our hearts.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about a surprising link between alcohol drinking and heart health and both blood pressure numbers can predict heart disease risk.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about a new cause of heart rhythm disorders and eating just one cup of nitrate-rich vegetables daily can reduce heart disease risk.
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