Heart disease continues to be the number one cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, and many factors can increase your risk. Some risk factors are controllable, such as your diet and activity level. Your family history, age, sex, and ethnicity can also factor into your risk of heart disease.
If you already have heart disease or have a high risk for heart disease, your exposure to certain environmental chemicals found in household products could exacerbate these heart disease factors. According to a 2024 study in Environmental Health, environmental phenols found in shampoo, cosmetics, plastic food containers, and packaged foods can affect your heart’s signaling (here’s why you should never microwave your food in plastic).
The study found that bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol F (BPF) phenols delayed the heart signals between heart chambers in women, particularly those with a higher body mass index (BMI). In men, higher levels of triclocarban (TCC) were associated with a longer QTc interval, which means the heart took longer to reset between beats. This longer QTc interval could lead to irregular heart rhythms.
Where these phenols are found
Environmental phenols can disrupt your hormones and affect heart health. You’ve probably already heard of BPAs found in plastic bottles and food containers. BPAs have been previously linked to heart disease, angina, and oxidative stress, so that’s why you’ll often see bottles labeled “BPA-free.” TCC and triclosan (TCS) are often found in antibacterial soaps, lotions, toothpaste, and shampoo. TCC and TCS have also been found to harm heart cells and disrupt heart function.
Parabens such as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben prevent harmful bacteria from growing in your makeup, shaving lotions, hair products, and moisturizers. Your body absorbs these parabens through your skin, especially if you leave these products on your hair or skin. Parabens can also be found in products like cereal, dried meats, flavored syrups, and beer. According to a 2024 review in Science of the Total Environment, parabens are concerning because they can mimic the activity of estrogen, causing weight gain, reduced fertility, and breast cancer.
How to avoid environmental phenols
Although the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate levels of parabens in cosmetics, it’s continuing to monitor research studies on their effect on human health. The FDA is also reviewing research on BPAs and triclosan to determine possible health risks. Because the FDA requires cosmetics and other personal products to list the ingredients on the label, you can avoid products with parabens and triclosan. You can identify products that have BPA because they’re often labeled with a resin identification code of 7 (usually at the bottom).
The study in Environmental Health said that healthy people don’t need to be concerned about levels of environmental phenols. “These were not dramatic changes that we observed, but moderate changes to cardiac electrical activity,” said lead author Hong-Sheng Wang, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neurobiology at the University of Cincinnati, in a news release. “However, they were particularly pronounced in certain subpopulations.” These subpopulations include older adults and those with heart disease or arrhythmias.
Even if you can’t avoid all environmental phenols, you can reduce your risk of heart disease by eating a diet low in saturated fats and high in fiber. You can help your heart by getting 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise and maintaining an ideal weight. It’s also best to quit smoking and reduce your alcohol consumption.