title: [Hyperhomocysteinemia: risk factor for premature atheromatosis].
abstract: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The cause of hyperhomocysteinemia is either an inborn metabolic defect or acquired. Main causes are either a defective homocysteine remethylation (thermolability of the enzyme 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) or nutritional deficiencies of B vitamins especially folic acid. The relative risk for myocardial infarction has been found of 3,1 in case of hyperhomocysteinemia. It is considered that a 5 microM/l homocysteine increment elevates vascular risk by as much as cholesterol increases of 20 mg/dl. B vitamins supplements are potentially useful.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pathologie Vasculaire, Hôpital Erasme, Bruxelles.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wautrecht
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006712:Homocystinuria / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine