Is Your Heart At Risk?
Is Your Heart At Risk
From Elevated Levels of Homocysteine?
Most people know that high cholesterol, smoking, excess weight, and lack of exercise are risk factors for coronary heart disease. However, there is another risk factor that can be just as important called...
HOMOCYSTEINE
(HO-mo-SIS-teen)
The body's response to injury
can slowly destroy a coronary artery.
Read these answers to some frequently asked questions about homocysteine and heart disease. To learn more, please speak with your doctor.
- I don't smoke and have normal cholesterol and blood pressure - am I still at risk for a heart attack?
- Yes! About 25 percent of all heart attacks occur in people without conventional risk factors such as high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure or smoking.
- What if I monitor my cholesterol?
- While monitoring is important, approximately 35 percent of heart attacks occur in people with normal total cholesterol levels.
- What is coronary heart disease?
- Coronary heart disease is a gradual process that begins with damage to the inner lining of the coronary arteries and progresses until the arteries become blocked. Advanced coronary heart disease causes heart attacks.
- How are arteries damaged in the first place?
- Multiple factors contribute to arterial injury. These factors facilitate the accumulation of cholesterol, inflammatory cells and fibrous tissue in the wall of the blood vessel.
- Does this process also damage arteries outside the heart?
- Yes, people with coronary heart disease are also at risk for stroke and damage to the arteries of their arms and legs.
- What is homocysteine?
- Homocysteine is a substance produced as the body digests protein. While our bodies require normal levels of homocysteine to build and maintain tissues, excess levels can be associated with heart disease and stroke.
- How does homocysteine increase the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke?
- High levels of homocysteine may contribute to arterial wall injury produced by cholesterol and other substances. Arteries damaged by this process are more likely to narrow or close completely.
- How does the body regulate homocysteine?
- Under normal circumstances, excess homocysteine is rapidly eliminated. With the help of essential vitamins, the liver changes homocysteine into an amino acid the body can use or breaks down for excretion.
- How does high homocysteine compare with other cardiovascular risk factors?
- It has been estimated that high homocysteine levels can increase the risk of heart disease as much as smoking or high cholesterol.
- Should my homocysteine level be measured?
- You should discuss this question with your doctor. The authors of the American Heart Association's Science Advisory suggest homocysteine measurements for selected patients with a personal or family history of cardiovascular disease.
- How do I find out my homocysteine level?
- Blood tests are available. Ask your doctor.
- If my homocysteine level is high, how did it happen?
- Elevated levels of homocysteine may result from a deficiency of certain essential vitamins. In addition, many people have a mild genetic defect in the pathway of homocysteine metabolism. People with this relatively common abnormality require a diet that meets or exceeds all of the recommended dietary allowances for folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.
- Can I control my homocysteine level?
- In most cases, elevated levels of homocysteine are easy to control. Simply make sure that you eat a well-balanced diet that includes green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, meats, fish, and fortified grains and cereals. If you have questions about your diet, talk with your doctor.
This publication was produced under an unrestricted educational grant from Abbott Diagnostics, a division of Abbott Laboratories.
Professional Postgraduate Services®,
a division of Physicians World Communications Group
400 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094
Sources for all graphics; nhlbi; kilmer s. mccully, md.; american heart association; framingham heart study. christoph blumrich and karl gude - Newsweek
