Homocysteine – relation to hypertension, age and smoking in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension

Abstract

Introduction. An elevated circulating concentration of homocysteine is associated with an increased risk of coronary, cerebral, and peripheral vascular disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of homocysteine in the patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension and healthy subjects and to analyze the correlation between homocysteine level and the other parameters (age, blood pressure, smoking). Material and methods. The study group consisted of 18 patients with essential hypertension, 4 women and 14 men (mean age 43 ± 16 years) and 15 healthy volunteers, 8 women and 7 men (mean age 47 ± 10 years). Serum homocysteine was analyzed by FPIA method (Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay). Results. The patients with essential hypertension had significantly higher homocysteine concentration compared to control group. No correlation was observed between homocysteine levels and age, diastolic, systolic blood pressure in subjects with essential hypertension. In healthy volunteers, only a correlation between age and homocysteine concentration was found.

Keywords

• homocysteine
• hypertension
• blood pressure