BackHomocysteine is a new risk factor for heart disease and pregnancy failure
There has been a lot of talk recently about a compound called homocysteine and its relationship to heart health and pregnancy failure.
Homocysteine is a common amino acid (it is one of the constituents of proteins) that is found in the blood and is ingested from the meat we eat. High homocysteine levels are associated with early cardiovascular and obstetric disease. Homocysteine causes toxic damage to the inner walls of blood vessels (endothelium) and is associated with low levels of vitamins B6 , B12 and folic acid.
How does homocysteine increase the risk of heart disease and lead to pregnancy failure?
High levels of homocysteine damage the inner wall of the arteries, leading to the formation of microclots and atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arterial lumen). Depending on the organ where they form, microclots can lead to myocardial infarction, stroke and pregnancy termination due to impaired uteroplacental blood flow.
The main causes of increased plasma homocysteine include:
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- Deficiency of vitamins B6 and B12 and folic acid intake from food
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- (cofactors of enzymes necessary for HC metabolism), taking this into account, it is advisable to determine the levels of folic acid and B12 in serum simultaneously in order to establish the possible cause of HHC.
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- A number of diseases (chronic renal failure, thyroid hypofunction, B12-deficiency anaemia, oncological diseases)
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- Genetic defects leading to deficiencies in enzymes responsible for homocysteine metabolism.
When and who should have their homocysteine levels checked?
The following groups of patients are eligible for the survey:
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Persons with hereditary aggravation for the occurrence of early myocardial infarctions and strokes;
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patients with coronary heart disease, thrombosis of various kinds in the past;
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women planning pregnancy, with an aggravated obstetric history (infertility, miscarriages);
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persons receiving therapy with drugs that may lead to an increase in the level of homocysteine in the blood (anticonvulsants, sugar-lowering drugs, cytostatics, etc.);
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patients who have undergone gastric surgery.
Are there methods to prevent high homocysteine levels?
High-risk patients with high homocysteine levels should increase their levels of externally supplied B vitamins (folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6). Folic acid and B vitamins help reduce homocysteine levels in the body. These vitamins can be found in a variety of fruits, green leafy vegetables, and cereals rich in folic acid.
ATTENTION: Homocysteine testing can be performed at any branch of OLYMP clinical diagnostic laboratories
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Homocysteine homocysteine miscarriage heart attack