- By Priyanka Munshi
- Thu, 25 Jan 2024 09:59 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Uric acid is usually linked to health issues such as gout. High levels of uric acid lead to many heart problems which turn deadly over a period of time. Elevated amounts of uric acid may play a role in the emergence of cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. Overconsumption of uric acid may cause oxidative stress and inflammation, which could impair blood vessel health. It becomes essential to monitor uric acid levels in order to comprehend and manage any cardiovascular risks.
Leading a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet can help control blood levels of uric acid, which in turn promotes heart health in general.
High Uric Acid Level Is Related To Heart Issues (Image Credit: Canva)
Dr. Pankaj Vinod Jariwala, consultant interventional cardiologist at Yashoda Hospitals in Hyderabad, exclusively told Jagran English about how uric acid is related to heart issues.
According to Dr. Pankaj, "Uric acid is a chemical compound created in our body mostly as a byproduct of the breakdown or metabolism of purine nucleotides. Uric acid is usually endogenously produced in our body and is hence a component of normal urine. It can also be derived exogenously from protein-rich foods like heavy meats. The main disease caused by an abnormal increase in uric acid levels in our body (hyperuricemia) is gout, which is usually seen as the accumulation of these uric acid crystals in various parts of the body, especially the joints. Uric acid extracellularly is usually shown experimentally to have an antioxidant component that is helpful against stress. Although in conditions of hyperuricemia or intracellular Uric acid present, it is shown to cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction."
In addition, he said, "The generation of urea causes the enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO) to release harmful reactive oxygen species, and these cause dysfunction in the endothelium, which is characterized by an imbalance in the released vasoconstrictors like thromboxane A2, angiotensin 2, and the vasodilators like nitric oxide and PGI-2. This establishes the presence of uric acid as either a predictive or causative factor for heart disease. Uric acid levels are connected to various heart diseases like hypertension,atherosclerosis,heart failure, etc. In hypertension, many studies show the connection between uric acid and the development of hypertension. These studies also highlight the importance of monitoring uric acid levels in hypertensive patients. Increased levels cause an activation of the RAAS mechanism by renin, causing vasoconstriction, which increases the blood pressure. It also showed a specific role in the development of hypertension in adolescents (90%). Prevention is possible by addressing hyperuricemia at younger ages."
High Uric Acid Level Is Related To Heart Issues (Image Credit: Canva)
Furthermore, he added, "In atherosclerosis, it is observed that there is an association between uric acid and calcifications of the arteries due to macro- and microvascular damage. In conditions of ischemia, uric acid acts as a pro-oxidant, releases reactive oxide species, removes nitric acid, and causes pro-inflammatory reactions, making the vessels vulnerable to damage and plaque buildup. In heart failure,increased serum uric acid levels, along with stress, are associated with higher mortality. The reactive oxygen species released by xanthine oxidase, as mentioned above, can cause cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis through the upregulation of the XO enzyme. This can also cause detrimental effects and further progression of heart failure by activating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone mechanism. Patients with a gout history and heart failure are at extremely high risk."
At last, Dr. Pankaj said, "In conclusion, it is safe to say that there is a definite correlation between serum uric acid and the development of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Bearing all this in mind, we should regularly monitor uric acid levels in younger adults as a predictive marker. We should also have regular checks for primary hypertension, especially in those with heart failure, due to the increased risk hyperuricemia can possess."
