Coronary Heart Disease

The Middle Years

Homocysteine is believed to be a causal influence on the development of cardiovascular disease and the subsequent likelihood of suffering heart attacks (myocardial infarctions - MI’s). Homocysteine has the ability to change cholesterol into a far more sinister version which attacks artery walls. As the arteries become damaged other cells stick until they become clogged, thickened and less flexible (atherosclerosis). Homocysteine also makes the blood clot more easily so it is more likely to form a blockage and cause a heart attack.

Analysis of 92 extensive studies have shown that a homocysteine reduction of 3µmol/L through folic acid supplementation reduces the risk of a heart attack by 16%.