Homocysteine Blood Levels and Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification in Serbia.

Introduction/objective: The current study aims to investigate the blood Hcy levels in patients with CAD and hypertension in Serbia, a country with a high incidence and mortality of both diseases.

Methods: The level of Hcy in the Serbian population was assessed in 123 patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension. There were 53 patients with chronic CAD and 70 patients with hypertension (HTA), but without CAD.

Results: The Hcy levels were high in both groups of patients (the mean Hcy level of 16.0 ± 7.0 μmol/L) without a statistical difference between the patients in the CAD (14.9 ± 7.3 μmol/L) and hypertension (16.7 ± 6.7 μmol/L) groups. Hypercholesterolemia was found in 81% of the patients with CAD and 92.0% of the patients with HTA, as a common concern across both clinical conditions. It was also found that not a single conventional risk factor (diabetes, hypertension, the smoking status, the family history of CAD, and hyperlipidemia) may individually influence Hcy levels. By contrast, the low levels of vitamin B12 may be related to the high levels of Hcy.

Conclusion: Given the fact that it is known that various factors interact and influence Hcy levels and associated cardiovascular risks, specific dietary habits, lifestyle and the other Serbia-specific possible factors were done.