Vitamin D and B12 deficiency increase risk of heart attack:8 out of 10 patients in Bhopal show insufficiency

A 44-year-old Suyash Malhotra in Bhopal suddenly experienced chest pain. He was taken to a private hospital. Cholesterol and other tests were mostly normal, but one parameter in the report changed the picture. The patient’s homocysteine level was significantly elevated. According to doctors, this elevated level caused blood clot formation in the artery. Similarly, another 41-year-old patient showed the same pattern in tests after a heart attack. Reports of young patients coming to cardiology OPDs at AIIMS, Hamidia Hospital, and private hospitals in Bhopal indicate that 8 out of 10 patients are showing deficiencies in Vitamin D and B12. These deficiencies are increasing homocysteine levels, affecting the heart, brain, and other organs. Senior cardiologist Dr. Kislay Srivastava says this is an alarm. It’s now crucial to be alert about lifestyle choices. 8 out of 10 patients have vitamin deficiency According to Dr. Srivastava, patients’ test reports are showing a similar pattern. About 70 to 80 percent of patients are found to have vitamin D and vitamin B-12 levels significantly lower than normal. This deficiency is not limited to the elderly. In fact, patients between 22 and 45 years of age are also showing vitamin deficiency and elevated homocysteine levels. Understanding why monitoring homocysteine is important Homocysteine is an amino acid that increases when the body is deficient in vitamin B-12 and folic acid. Its normal range is 5 to 15 micromoles per liter. A level of 50 or higher is considered extremely serious. Senior cardiologist Dr. Kislay Srivastava explains that elevated homocysteine levels were found in approximately 60 percent of heart attack cases. It damages the inner layer of arteries and increases the likelihood of blood clots forming. Vitamin D and B12 deficiency affects organs 1. Heart: Risk of inflammation and blockage in arteries increases.
2. Brain: Risk of stroke may increase.
3. Kidneys: Long-term high homocysteine levels can affect kidney function.
4. Nerves: Tingling, numbness in hands and feet, and balance problems.
5. Bones: Vitamin D deficiency leads to weak bones and a risk of fractures.
6. Lungs: Blood flow disturbances can affect oxygen supply. Deteriorating lifestyle is the main cause According to Dr. Kislay Srivastava, cases of heart disease in young people have increased rapidly after COVID. Previously, people were more active in daily life, but now physical activity has decreased. Junk food, spending less time in sunlight, irregular daily routine, and stress – all these factors are increasing vitamin deficiency. Ayurveda Professor Dr. Nitin Ujjalia explains that Vitamin B12 is found in many foods, but due to being water-soluble, its quantity decreases with incorrect cooking methods. Tests and precautions After age 30, regular testing of homocysteine, lipoprotein (a), vitamins, BP, sugar, kidney, and liver function is necessary. Preventive measures: Young people at high risk, vulnerable blocks becoming deadly Dr. Ajay Sharma, Professor in the Cardiology Department of Gandhi Medical College, said that the number of heart patients has increased. The concerning part is that a large number of these are young patients. Compared to five years ago, cases of sudden cardiac arrest and heart attacks have increased among men and women aged 20 to 40 years. According to Dr. Sharma, awareness has increased in these five years. People of all ages are now getting normal tests done, which include ECG, echo cardiogram, treadmill test, lipid profile, and others. When these tests come back normal, physicians say that the tests are normal and there’s nothing to worry about. We are seeing that these patients are also susceptible to sudden cardiac arrest. The tests identify blockages in your heart when the level is more than 80 percent. If blockages are 20 to 30 percent, everything appears normal in these tests. However, these blockages of 20 to 30 percent are called vulnerable blocks, which can suddenly rupture under emotional stress. This causes them to block the arteries (blood vessels), leading to sudden cardiac arrest or a heart attack.