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Homocysteine is an elevated amino acid in individuals with heart disease.
Homocysteine is an amino acid that appears as a result of normal metabolic processes, a consequence of the metabolism of methionine.
Its metabolism is linked to the metabolism of some B vitamins, especially folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.
When there is a deficiency of any of these vitamins, homocysteine levels in the blood increase, favoring the onset of heart diseases.
High blood levels of homocysteine can increase a person's risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly heart disease (such as heart attack, stroke, or vascular disease (reduced blood flow to the hands and feet).
Homocysteine is involved in the development of arteriosclerosis, a process by which plaques of fatty and mineral substances are produced on the walls of the arteries, progressively hardening and obstructing them.
Homocysteine also affects the blood, causing platelets to become more adhesive and, therefore, favoring the formation of clots, these can completely obstruct the arteries or veins, preventing blood circulation.
Therefore, we can conclude that homocysteine is an elevated amino acid in the blood of individuals with heart disease and a powerful prognostic marker of cardiovascular events in patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
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