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Published on: October 12, 2017

Homocysteine levels in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis

A Blum1, S Lupovitch, K Khazim

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Poria Hospital, Lower Galilee, Israel.

Clinical Cardiology
|June 14, 2001
PubMed

Insights

High homocysteine levels are common in patients with atherosclerosis risk factors. Measuring homocysteine is recommended for early detection and management of vascular disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Mild to moderate hyperhomocysteinemia is an established independent risk factor for atherosclerosis across various vascular beds.
  • Elevated plasma total homocysteine is a significant predictor of mortality in patients with confirmed coronary artery disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess homocysteine levels in individuals without diagnosed coronary artery disease but possessing at least one atherosclerosis risk factor.
  • To determine the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in a population at risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective collection of fasting blood samples from 160 consecutive patients (50 women, 110 men; mean age 65 years) with atherosclerosis risk factors but no documented coronary artery disease.
  • Homocysteine levels were quantified using a standard immunoassay method.

Main Results:

  • Nearly half (48.75%) of the patients studied exhibited elevated homocysteine levels.
  • Specifically, 62 patients presented with mild hyperhomocysteinemia (15-30 micromol/l), and 16 had moderate hyperhomocysteinemia (30-100 micromol/l).

Conclusions:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is highly prevalent in patients identified with risk factors for atherosclerosis.
  • Routine measurement and appropriate treatment of homocysteine levels are advised for patients with atherosclerosis risk factors due to its role as a modifiable risk factor.
Abstract

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