Serum homocysteine levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction in Jordan

ABSTRACT

To examine the homocysteine level in Jordanian patients with acute myocardial infarction. Plasma fasting homocysteine levels were measured in 90 patients with acute myocardial infarction and compared to 90 age-, sex-, and smoking habit matched control subjects free of clinical coronary disease. Homocysteine [mmol/l] levels were significantly higher in patients compared to controls [18.5 +/- 7.8 v 12.0 +/- 8.4; p=0.002]. The result of this study indicates that homocyteine level is high in patients with acute myocardial infarction and it may be a risk factor for coronary heart disease in Jordanian population. Public health education about homocysteine and its reduction by increasing supplements of folate and vitamin B may reduce the incidence of coronary artery disease in Jordanian population