Effect of folic acid on plasma homocysteine levels and major cardiovascular events in elderly patients with hypertension

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of folic acid on plasma homocysteine(Hcy) levels and major cardiovascular events in elderly patients with H hypertension. Methods 200 elderly patients with H hypertension were randomly divided into the observation group and control group with 100 cases in each group according to the digital list methods, the control group was given health education and routine anti-hypertensive drug for treatment while the observation group was given folic acid on basis of the conventional treatment, the Hcy levels after 3 months of treatment and incidence of major cardiovascular events among 3 years of the two groups were compared. Results (1)The level of plasma Hcy in the observation group decreased significantly after treatment,with statistically significant difference when compared with before treatment(t=12.32, P 0.05);(2)The occurrence of cardiovascular events among 3 year after treatment of the observation group was 6 cases, the incidence rate was 6%, the control group occurred 15 cases, the incidence rate was 15%, the difference in the incidence of the two groups was statistically significant(χ2=8.24,P<0.05). Conclusion Folic acid intervention can reduce the plasma Hcy levels in elderly patients with H hypertension and control the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Key words: folic acid; Hypertension; Homocysteine; Cardiovascular events