York lab's test for 'H-factor' health threat

A tester kit to measure the level of Homocysteine, a naturally-occurring protein-like chemical in the blood, has been developed by Yorktest Laboratories.

An expert on Homocysteine, Patrick Holford, will be in York this evening giving a lecture on the subject.

Homocysteine or the H factor, which has been branded the new cholesterol, was discovered in the 1970s as a risk factor for heart disease, said Yorktest.

Recent research has found it could be a contributing risk factor in 30 per cent of all heart attacks and 40 per cent of all strokes.

It may also be a risk factor in some cancers and leukaemias, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, problem pregnancies and diabetic nerve damage as well.

Homocysteine damages the lining or thickens the walls of coronary arteries allowing the increased build up of cholesterol. This reduces the flow of oxygenated blood around the body causing the heart to have to work harder.

High levels of the H factor are caused through smoking, coffee, high alcohol consumption, lack of 'greens', family history of heart disease, diabetes or cancer.

Reducing it can be done easily through simple changes to diet such as taking vitamins eating more fruit and vegetables, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol and cutting back on salt.

Yorktest has developed a simple pinprick home blood test which its laboratories can analyse.

A score below six units means no risk, while a score above 15 units is bad news - the average score in Britain is ten units.

Mr Holford said: "One in two people die from preventable diseases, and one in two people have a high homocysteine score. This is a major medical breakthrough in disease prevention."

The lecture by Mr Holford will take place at the Guildhall, this evening from 7pm to 9.30pm.

The event is open to all and tickets, which cost £7.50, can be bought on the door.

For information visit the website at www.thehfactor.com or phone 01904 410410.

Updated: 10:40 Tuesday, June 03, 2003