--- title: "Evidence: Plasma homocysteine" description: "Higher homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes and all causes, especially in older adults." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s146.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s146.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s146.html" type: "study" study_key: "s146" journal: "J Zhejiang Univ Sci B" year: 2015 pmid: "25559959" doi: "10.1631/jzus.B1400183" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Evidence: Plasma homocysteine [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: Plasma homocysteine **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s146.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s146 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | J Zhejiang Univ Sci B | | Year | 2015 | | PMID | [25559959](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25559959/) | | DOI | [10.1631/jzus.B1400183](https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B1400183) | | Study key | s146 | ## Takeaway Higher homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes and all causes, especially in older adults. ## The question Does elevated homocysteine predict coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality, cardiovascular mortality, or all-cause mortality in the general population? ## Hypothesis The study hypothesized that elevated homocysteine levels would be a predictor of increased mortality. ## Methods A meta-analysis was conducted by systematically searching PubMed and Embase for prospective observational studies published before October 2013. The studies evaluated the association between baseline homocysteine levels and CHD, cardiovascular, or all-cause mortality. Pooled adjusted risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for both categorical and continuous risk estimates. ## Results Twelve studies with 23,623 subjects were included. Comparing the highest to lowest homocysteine categories, CHD mortality increased by 66%, cardiovascular mortality by 68%, and all-cause mortality by 93%. For each 5 μmol/L homocysteine increment, the pooled RR was 1.52 for CHD mortality, 1.32 for cardiovascular mortality, and 1.27 for all-cause mortality. ## Conclusion Elevated homocysteine levels are an independent predictor for subsequent cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality. The risks were more pronounced in elderly individuals. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the meta-analysis. ## Verbatim from the abstract > Elevated homocysteine is an independent predictor for cardiovascular mortality or all-cause mortality ## Increased Mortality Risk with Elevated Homocysteine Levels | Measure | Percentage Increase in Mortality | | --- | --- | | CHD Mortality (Highest vs. Lowest Category) | 66 | | Cardiovascular Mortality (Highest vs. Lowest Category) | 68 | | All-Cause Mortality (Highest vs. Lowest Category) | 93 | *Percentage increase in mortality when comparing the highest homocysteine level categories to the lowest.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Homocysteine Test | — | — | ## Reference 1. **Evidence: Plasma homocysteine** J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2015 · [PMID 25559959](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25559959/) · [DOI 10.1631/jzus.B1400183](https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B1400183) > Elevated homocysteine is an independent predictor for cardiovascular mortality or all-cause mortality ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s146.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s146.html","name":"Evidence: Plasma homocysteine","description":"Higher homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes and all causes, especially in older adults.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s146.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: Plasma homocysteine","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s146.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s146.html#study","name":"Evidence: Plasma homocysteine","headline":"Evidence: Plasma homocysteine","datePublished":"2015","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J Zhejiang Univ Sci B"},"identifier":"PMID:25559959","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25559959/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B1400183","abstract":"Higher homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes and all causes, especially in older adults."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Total plasma homocysteine level and risk of cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis of…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d12393075.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).