The relationship between homocysteine and carotid stenosis in very elderly patients with hypertension

Objective To study the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia(Hcy) and carotid stenosis in very elderly hypertensive.Methods 153 patients(above 80 years old)with hypertension were examined by color Doppler ultrasonography to detect carotid stenosis.The patients were divided into three groups based on the severity of carotid stenosis,the moderate-severe stenosis group,the slight stenosis group,and the normal group.The results of serum Hcy levels on different groups were compared.Results The Hcy level was significantly higher in the stenosis groups than in the normal group(P0.05),significantly higher in the moderate severe stenosis group than in the slight stenosis group(P0.05).Conclusion Hcy increased in very elderly hypertensive,which was an important risk factor for atherosclerosis,and it is highly correlated with the severity of the carotid stenosis.