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How might elevated homocysteine levels damage arteries?
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cardiovascular disease
This micrograph shows a cross section of a coronary artery narrowed by an atherosclerotic plaque (purplish matter inside the artery). Most heart attacks are caused by the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque, which triggers the formation of a clot that abruptly blocks blood flow to part of the heart muscle.
Elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease because they may directly damage artery walls and promote the development of atherosclerosis.12
While the exact mechanisms of this damage are still being studied, it is known that inadequate dietary intake of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, or folic acid can lead to these elevated levels, with folic acid deficiency being the most common cause. Although elevated homocysteine is not yet considered an established risk factor for coronary heart disease, maintaining adequate intake of these vitamins is considered a prudent health measure.2