Homocysteine and risk of heart attack:
A statistically significant positive association between elevated homocysteine (Hcy), an amino acid, and risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke has been found in a cohort study of 7,983 individuals. It was estimated that each 1 mmol/L increase in plasma Hcy concentrations were associated with a 6%–7% increase in the risk of stroke. Additionally, participants with total Hcy levels above 18.6 micromol/L were at significantly increased risk for heart attack (odds ratio [OR]=2.43) and stroke (OR=2.53). Those with hypertension also faired worse. (88)
ACE inhibitors and cough:
Iron supplements may reduce the cough symptom associated with a widely used drug, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. ACE inhibitors are widely prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure, heart failure and other cardiac conditions. In this study, after a 2-week observation period, participants (n=19) were randomized to receive either a daily morning dose of 256 mg ferrous sulfate (iron) or placebo for 4 weeks. Subjects kept a daily diary, scoring their cough twice per day on a scale of 0 to 4. Results showed that use of ferrous sulfate significantly reduced average daily cough scores (from 3.07 to 1.69) as compared to placebo (from 2.57 to 2.35). (89)