• 12 million people in the United States have cardiovascular disease
• 50 million U.S. adults have blood cholesterol levels that are higher than the desirable. 
• Cardiovascular heart disease is the leading cause of death for all females. 
• Heart disease death rates are consistently higher in males than in females and higher in African Americans than in the Caucasian population. [31]
• High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular heart disease that can be modified. 

Cardiovascular Disease and Folic Acid

Some studies show that elevated blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid, are associated with the incidence of cardiovascular disease. [7]  Folic acid supplements and enriched cereals may be effective in reducing levels of homocysteine in the blood, more so than a diet rich in naturally occurring folates [20] [21]. 

While more research is needed, consider the summary below of key studies that provide insight into the relationship between folic acid, homocysteine and cardiovascular disease:

·         In the Nurses Health Study, medical researchers found that the risk of coronary heart disease was lowest among women with the highest intake of both folic acid and vitamin B6.[22] 

·         A prospective study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, using data from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), found evidence that people with low levels of folic acid have more than twice the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease as those with higher levels.[23] 

·         A Netherlands study found that folic acid supplementation may reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.[24] 

While the evidence that folic acid may prevent heart disease is growing, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) is waiting for the results of prospective controlled intervention trials that are currently underway before endorsing folic acid for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.[25]