Homocysteine & Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Elevated homocysteine is an independent risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

Homocysteine may increase overall cardiovascular risk by interacting with traditional risk factors such as:

  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • High cholesterol

Homocysteine & High Blood Pressure1

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Studies have shown that mild elevations in homocysteine levels may contribute to elevations in blood pressure and increase the risk of hypertension.

A 5 unit increase in homocysteine level increases the risk of hypertension by 50% in women.

Homocysteine & Diabetes

Diabetes is a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Elevated homocysteine is a stronger risk factor for CVD and death in Type 2 Diabetes patients compared to non-diabetics.2

Homocysteine levels can predict the incidence and severity of major diabetes complications including: hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, eye disease, kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease, and nerve disease.

Homocysteine & Smoking

Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Cigarette smoking also significantly elevates homocysteine levels. The risk for heart disease is 12 times higher in patients who smoke and have elevated homocysteine levels compared with non-smokers3 with normal homocysteine levels.

High dose folate has been shown to improve the overall health of blood vessels and reduce blood pressure in patients who smoke4.

Homocysteine & High Cholesterol

Patients with high cholesterol, particularly LDL or "Bad" cholesterol, are at increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Elevated homocysteine levels have been found in patients with a family history of high cholesterol.

Homocysteine can combine with LDL cholesterol and increase injury to blood vessels.

High dose folate has been shown to improve the overall health of blood vessels in patients with high cholesterol5.

A 5 unit increase in homocysteine is the risk equivalent of a 20 mg increase in cholesterol.

Are You At Risk?

Homocysteine may increase your overall cardiovascular risk by interacting with traditional risk factors such as:

  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • High Cholesterol

Ask your doctor about Homocysteine and if Metanx® is right for you.

1 Lim U, Cassano P. Homocysteine and Blood Pressure in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994. Am J Epidemol 2002: 1105-1113
2 Hoogeveen, EK et al, Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Aterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol.1998;18:133-138.
3 O'Callaghan P. et al, Smoking and plasma homocysteine Eur Heart J 2002;23:1580-1586.
4 Mangoni, A. etal, Folic acid enhances endothelial function and reduces blood pressure in smokers: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Internal Medicine 2002;252:497-503.
5 Verhaar, MC et al, Folates and cardiovascular disease Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2002;22:6-13.