Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
10:46
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease
Carrie W Nemerovski1, Michael P Dorsch, Robert U Simpson
1Department of Pharmacy Services, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Pharmacotherapy
|May 30, 2009
Summary
Vitamin D, or calcitriol, influences cardiovascular health by affecting cardiac muscle and regulating key systems. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to heart disease, but supplementation needs more research.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol) impacts more than calcium homeostasis, influencing cardiovascular health.
- Experimental data suggest calcitriol affects cardiac muscle, parathyroid hormone secretion, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and immune function.
- Vitamin D deficiency is associated with hypertension, vascular diseases, and heart failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on the relationship between vitamin D and cardiovascular disease.
- To assess the impact of vitamin D on hypertension and heart failure.
Main Methods:
- A MEDLINE search of English-language literature from 1950-2008 was conducted.
- Additional citations were gathered from retrieved articles.
Main Results:
- Vitamin D treatment lowered blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
- Vitamin D modified cytokine profiles in heart failure patients.
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml indicate deficiency; levels above 30 ng/ml are optimal.
Conclusions:
- Observational data robustly link vitamin D status to cardiovascular disease.
- Vitamin D supplementation is not routinely recommended for heart disease without further randomized trials.
- Supplementation may benefit cardiovascular health in specific patients and is often indicated for other reasons.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
01:22Connective Tissue Cell Types
Connective tissue develops from the mesoderm of a developing embryo and consists of cells, fibers, and ground substance: a gel-like material containing large complexes of carbohydrates and proteins. Connective tissue was first identified as a separate tissue family in the 18th century, and Johannes Peter Muller coined the term connective tissue.
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...