High Homocysteine - A risk factor for arteriosclerosis
Homocysteine Check-up
What is the Homocysteine level about
Arteriosclerosis is a vascular disease in which there is narrowing (stenosis) of the small vessels (arterioles). This occurs due to the deposition of plasma components and fibrotic changes in the vessel walls.
Hypercholesterolemia, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and high blood pressure, as well as an elevated homocysteine level, are risk factors for arteriosclerosis and thus for coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
The consequence...
Homocysteine is as dangerous for the vessels as cholesterol.
As early as the age of 40, the first vascular changes may already appear. For this reason, you should know your homocysteine level by the age of 50 at the latest!
Too much ... and now?
In case of a deficiency of vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid, symptoms of exhaustion are present along with an elevated homocysteine blood level.
If these missing vitamins are supplied to the body again, the homocysteine level demonstrably decreases. As a result of supplementation, the risk of endothelial damage in the vascular system is also reduced.
The general risk for cardiovascular diseases depending on the risk group can be reduced by approximately 10-25%.
How is the cost covered?
Billing for the service is carried out according to the medical fee schedule (GOÄ). It is an individual health service. Private health insurance generally covers the costs of the examination.