New Website Highlights the Risk of Elevated Homocysteine

A new website explaining the health risks associated
with elevated levels of homocysteine has been launched today by
Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited.
Building on the previous healthcare professionals' only site,
www.homocysteine.net now offers the public the latest information on
this emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and
dementia. Guidance is also given on healthy eating, scientific
developments and the need for regular testing.
Globally cardiovascular disease accounts for over 16.7 million
deaths per year.(1) Many of these deaths may have been potentially
preventable due to their association with elevated levels of
homocysteine in the blood, emphasising the need for greater
understanding of this metabolic protein by-product and the benefits of
routine testing. At present, anyone with a homocysteine level of
12 micro mol/L or above is considered to be 'at risk' from numerous
medical conditions. However, for every 3 micro mol/L drop, the risk of
developing coronary heart disease is decreased by 16% and stroke by
24%.(2)
Homcysteine.net aims to keep the public at the forefront of
homocysteine research with independent professional reviewers
providing much of the content and experts in the field making regular
contributions. Commenting on the website, Dr. Andrew McCaddon,
Honorary Research Fellow of Wales College of Medicine said "This
resource is invaluable for bringing homocysteine-related information
to the general public in a succinct and 'consumer-friendly' form."
Svein Lien, Axis-Shield CEO, added "Clinical interest in
homocysteine is growing and with the help of our test marketing
partners we will continue to promote the need to screen for blood
levels of this important marker, particularly in higher risk
populations where other risk factors for cardiovascular and
neurodegenerative diseases may also be present, with multiplicative
risk. The ready correction of most cases of elevated homocysteine
blood levels by increased intake of certain B vitamins and folic acid
is an important factor in testing."
Homocysteine.net also provides access to worldwide organisations
specialising in homocysteine-related conditions such as the European
Society of Cardiology.

(1) American Heart Association (2004). International
Cardiovasuclar Disease Statistics fact sheet
http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/
1077185395308FS06INT4(ebook).pdf#search='cardiovascular%
20disease%20norway'

(Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your
Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one
exists.)

(2) Wald, D.S., Law, M and Morris, JK. (2002). Homocysteine and
cardiovascular disease; evidence on casuablity from a meta-analysis.
BMJ, 325(7374).

Notes to Editors

About Axis-Shield

Axis-Shield is an international in vitro diagnostics company,
headquartered in Dundee with R&D and manufacturing bases in Dundee and
Oslo. The Group specialises in the development, manufacture and
marketing of innovative proprietary diagnostics kits in areas of
clinical need, including cardiovascular and neurological diseases,
rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. It has a special focus on effective
testing at the point of care, for improved patient management.
For more information on Axis-Shield, please refer to
www.axis-shield.com