BODY IRON STORES AND THE RISK OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE

Abstract

Iron has a dual role in the body. On one hand. it is an essential element with irreplaceable functions in oxygen delivery and many important enzyme reactions. While on the other hand. it can also be a potential hazard by promoting theeneration of free radicals with tissue damaging and peroxidation of lipoproteins.

The aim of this study was to measure the different parameters of iron metabolism in patients with ischemic heart disease with and without infarction, compare them versus a group of age and sex matched healthy control subjects and to study the relation between these parameters and other coronary heart disease risk factors. For all participants, full history taking, thorough clinical examination, electrocardiogram, laboratory investigations including complete blood picture, liver and kidney function test, fasting blood sugar, uric acid, lipid profile (total cholesterol. LDL. triglycerides, HDL), together with parameters of iron metabolizm including serum iron, total iron binding capacity and serum ferritin were done