Homocysteine as a risk factor of ischemic heart disease development (review)

Homocysteine is a product of methionine metabolism. Increased levels of homocysteine strengthen oxidizing stress, disturb endothelial function, raise arterial blood pressure and lead to thrombus formation. Homocysteine increases the risk of development of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cerebral and peripheral vessels diseases. By severity it can be compared with smoking and hypercholesterolemia. High levels of homocysteine cause the development of cardiovascular diseases that occur in people who have never suffered from heart attacks. Vitamin B-12 and folate decrease the homocysteine level and convert it into cysteine and methionine