Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis
07:51

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: September 26, 2018

Homocysteine as a risk factor for CVD mortality in men with other CVD risk factors: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart

J K Virtanen1, S Voutilainen, G Alfthan

  • 1Research Institute of Public Health, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. jyrki.virtanen@uku.fi

Journal of Internal Medicine
|February 18, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) may increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risk in middle-aged men. This risk is amplified when combined with other factors like smoking or high cholesterol.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular epidemiology
  • Biomarkers of cardiovascular risk

Background:

  • Elevated blood total homocysteine (tHcy) is a potential independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
  • Previous studies suggest a link between tHcy and CVD, but its joint effect with other risk factors requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the combined effect of elevated serum tHcy and other cardiovascular risk factors on CVD mortality risk.
  • To assess CVD mortality risk in middle-aged men without prior heart disease or stroke.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, population-based Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor (KIHD) Study.
  • Involved 802 men aged 46-64 years from Eastern Finland, examined between 1991-93.
  • Follow-up averaged 10.8 years, monitoring CVD mortality events.

Main Results:

  • Mean serum tHcy was 10.8 micromol/L. 50 men died from CVD during follow-up.
  • Men in the highest tHcy third had a hazard rate ratio of 1.80 for CVD mortality (95% CI: 1.02-3.19) after adjustments.
  • Elevated tHcy increased CVD death risk in smokers and those with high serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apo-B, or plasma fibrinogen.

Conclusions:

  • Homocysteine may elevate CVD mortality risk in middle-aged Finnish men.
  • The risk of CVD mortality is particularly heightened when elevated homocysteine coexists with other cardiovascular risk factors.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome06:04

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and narrowing...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT01:25

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT

Calcium-Scoring CT ScanA calcium-scoring CT scan, also known as coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan, detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This test assesses the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to cardiovascular events such as angina, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.A calcium-scoring CT scan is generally recommended for individuals at intermediate risk of CAD without symptoms. It includes:Men aged 40-75 and women aged 50-75: Especially those with a...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...