Relevance. Arterial hypertension (AH) is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity, while target organ damage largely determines its prognosis. Homocysteine is considered a potential marker of vascular injury; however, its role in clinical risk stratification in AH remains insufficiently studied.

Aim. To evaluate the association between homocysteine levels and target organ damage in arterial hypertension, as well as its relationship with metabolic, inflammatory, and coagulation parameters.

Materials and Methods. A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 111 participants (60 patients with AH and 51 without AH). Serum homocysteine levels, inflammatory markers, lipid profile parameters, oxidative stress indicators, and indices of vascular damage were assessed. Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation with adjustment for confounders.

Results. Homocysteine levels were significantly higher in patients with AH. Significant correlations were found between homocysteine and hs-CRP (r = 0.70; p < 0.01), total cholesterol (r = 0.58; p < 0.01), LDL cholesterol (r = 0.46; p < 0.01), triglycerides (r = 0.33; p < 0.05), atherogenic index (r = 0.50; p < 0.01), fibrinogen (r = 0.49; p < 0.01), and glucose (r = 0.30; p < 0.05), as well as a negative correlation with the ankle–brachial index (r = –0.52; p < 0.01). These associations remained significant after multivariate adjustment.

Conclusion. Homocysteine is associated with a spectrum of metabolic, inflammatory, and vascular alterations in arterial hypertension and may serve as a potential biomarker of target organ damage and cardiovascular risk stratification.

arterial hypertension, homocysteine, target organ damage, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, atherosclerosis, vascular stiffness

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