Homocysteine & Coronary Heart Disease

What Is Homocysteine?

Homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced in the human body. Researches have shown that high levels of homocysteine increase the risk of coronary heart disease. In persons with other risk factors of coronary heart disease eg. hypertension, high cholesterol, smoke, etc, the chances of getting a heart attack will multiply.


Why Is High Homocysteine Level Harmful?

High homocysteine levels in the blood can cause cholesterol to change to a form that is more damaging to the arteries. They can also make blood clot more easily and increase the risk of atherosclerosis (blockage in the arteries). A blockage may result in a heart attack or stroke. Up to 20% of people with heart disease have high homocysteine levels.


What Causes A High Homocysteine Level?

Food that contribute to the hemocysteine level in the blood include meats, eggs, milk, cheese, white flour, caned and highly processed foods. Homocysteine is normally changed into other amino acids for use by the body. However, the enzymes needed to break down homocysteine require folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12 to do the job. If we are deficient in these nutrients, homocysteine levels begin to rise.

Other possible causes of high homocysteine levels include low levels of thyroid hormone, kidney disease, psoriasis, some medicines, or inherited deficiences in the enzymes used to process homocysteine in the body.


What Is The Desired Homocysteine Level?

Homocysteine is measured by blood test. It can be measured at any time of day and does not require special preparation (such as fasting).

For people with no major risk factors for coronary heart disease and do not have atherosclerosis, homocysteine level of up to 15 umoI/L are acceptable. A healthy homocysteine level is less than 10 umoI/L, especially for those who suffer from blockages in any blood vessel, or have other major risk factors of heart disease.


How Can I Lower A High Homocysteine Level?

Eating more fruits and vegetables can help lower homocysteine level by increasing folic acid intake. Good sources of folic acid include cereals, lentils, asparagus, spinach and most beans.

If adjusting your diet is not enough to lower your homocysteine, you will also need to take specific vitamins. A higher dosage of folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12 can help to reduce homocysteine levels in the blood. Vitamin B supplements generally have no side effects.

If taking these vitamins doesn't lower your homocysteine level, your doctor may have you try a higher dose. Or you may need to have some tests to see if you have a health condition that causes high homocysteine levels.


What Happens Next?

It is important to get your homocysteine level rechecked after you have been taking the multivitamin and folic acid for 1 to 2 months. If your homocysteine level remains high, your doctor may change your treatment. If you have a high homocysteine level. You will probably need to have your level checked regularly - may be 2 or 3 times a year. As the cause of cornary disease involves other factors, checking of blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, etc. may also be required at regular intervals.