COMPARISON OF SERUM HOMOCYSTEINE AND FOLIC ACID LEVELS IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AND NORMAL HEALTHY POPULATION

Abstract

Background: Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. An emerging risk factor for AMI is raised levels of Homocysteine (Hcy). Deficient levels of folic acid are associated with Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy).ortification of folic acid has been known to improve endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to determine the levels of Hcy and folic acid in patients with AMI and healthy individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 80 subjects, with 40 subjects in each group. Group A included individuals diagnosed with AMI and group B included healthy individuals. Serum Hcy and folic acid levels were measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) were measured, and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. Results: Increased Hcy and lower serum folic acid levels were found in group A as compared to group B (p<0.001). The correlation between serum Hcy level and folic acid in group A was moderate and negative (r= -0.48, p=0.001); for group B it was also moderate and more negative (r= -0.66, p<0.001). Conclusions: There were high levels of Hcy and low levels of folic acid in diseased group as compared to healthy participants.