<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in developed countries. Important factors leading to ischemic heart disease and strokes are hypertension and high levels of homocysteine in blood serum. The coexistence of these two factors significantly increases the risk of these diseases and premature deaths. Many studies indicate that patients with hypertension are significantly more likely to demonstrate increased blood serum homocysteine levels than those with normal blood pressure. This may be caused by a higher incidence of overweight, high intake of salt and increased uric acid levels. It has been shown that both these factors increase the prevalence of hypertension and lead to higher homocysteine levels. However, the results of some studies indicate that arterial hypertension and homocysteinemia are causally related. It was shown, among other things, that high homocysteine levels damage the endothelium and reduce nitric oxide synthesis, which may directly lead to hypertension. Serum homocysteine levels are slightly higher in patients with white coat hypertension than they are in healthy individuals and may therefore also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Several authors have also shown that the levels of homocysteine in blood serum are higher in so-called non-dippers, i.e., patients with no night-time pressure drop. The lack of a 10%–20% decrease in blood pressure at night is associated with increased cardiovascular complications. Strokes occur especially frequently in older people with arterial hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia. The administration of B vitamins and folic acid significantly reduces serum homocysteine levels. The administration of this acid also slightly, but statistically significantly, increases the effectiveness of hypotensive drugs. Large meta-analyses meta-analysis indicate that the increased supply of folic acid in patients with hypertension significantly reduces the risk of stroke. Such management is particularly effective in patients with hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia.</p></abstract>

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in developed countries. Important factors leading to ischemic heart disease and strokes are hypertension and high levels of homocysteine in blood serum. The coexistence of these two factors significantly increases the risk of these diseases and premature deaths. Many studies indicate that patients with hypertension are significantly more likely to demonstrate increased blood serum homocysteine levels than those with normal blood pressure. This may be caused by a higher incidence of overweight, high intake of salt and increased uric acid levels. It has been shown that both these factors increase the prevalence of hypertension and lead to higher homocysteine levels. However, the results of some studies indicate that arterial hypertension and homocysteinemia are causally related. It was shown, among other things, that high homocysteine levels damage the endothelium and reduce nitric oxide synthesis, which may directly lead to hypertension. Serum homocysteine levels are slightly higher in patients with white coat hypertension than they are in healthy individuals and may therefore also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Several authors have also shown that the levels of homocysteine in blood serum are higher in so-called non-dippers, i.e., patients with no night-time pressure drop. The lack of a 10%–20% decrease in blood pressure at night is associated with increased cardiovascular complications. Strokes occur especially frequently in older people with arterial hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia. The administration of B vitamins and folic acid significantly reduces serum homocysteine levels. The administration of this acid also slightly, but statistically significantly, increases the effectiveness of hypotensive drugs. Large meta-analyses meta-analysis indicate that the increased supply of folic acid in patients with hypertension significantly reduces the risk of stroke. Such management is particularly effective in patients with hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia.

The significance of homocysteine in patients with hypertension

Postępy Higieny i Medycyny Doświadczalnej

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"The significance of homocysteine in patients with hypertension"}

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in developed countries. Important factors leading to ischemic heart disease and strokes are...

The significance of homocysteine in patients with hypertension

Article Category: Review

Data publikacji: 21 paź 2021

Zakres stron: 634 - 642

Otrzymano: 28 maj 2020

Przyjęty: 26 lut 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ahem-2021-0002

Słowa kluczowe
homocysteine, hypertension, non-dipper hypertension, stroke

© 2021 Jerzy Gluszek., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The significance of homocysteine in patients with hypertension

Article Category: Review

Data publikacji: 21 paź 2021

Zakres stron: 634 - 642

Otrzymano: 28 maj 2020

Przyjęty: 26 lut 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ahem-2021-0002

Słowa kluczowehomocysteine, hypertension, non-dipper hypertension, stroke

© 2021 Jerzy Gluszek., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Słowa kluczowe
homocysteine, hypertension, non-dipper hypertension, stroke