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Vitamin D, cardiovascular disease and mortality
Stefan Pilz1, Andreas Tomaschitz, Winfried März
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. stefan.pilz@chello.at
Clinical Endocrinology
|June 21, 2011
Summary
Low vitamin D levels are common and may impact cardiovascular health. While research suggests potential benefits, large trials are needed to confirm vitamin D
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Poor vitamin D status (low 25-hydroxyvitamin D) is prevalent.
- Vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression in cardiovascular tissues suggests a role in heart health.
- VDR-knockout mice exhibit cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for vitamin D's role in cardiovascular health.
- To assess the association between vitamin D status and CVD risk.
- To evaluate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental studies on vitamin D and cardiovascular protection.
- Analysis of epidemiological studies linking 25(OH)D levels to CVD risk and mortality.
- Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on vitamin D supplementation and cardiovascular risk factors/mortality.
Main Results:
- Experimental studies indicate cardiovascular protective actions of vitamin D.
- Epidemiological data associate low 25(OH)D with increased CVD risk and mortality.
- RCTs show inconsistent effects on risk factors but suggest a modest reduction in all-cause mortality.
Conclusions:
- Accumulating evidence suggests vitamin D may protect against CVD.
- Large-scale RCTs are required to establish definitive recommendations for vitamin D in CVD prevention/treatment.
- Clinical decisions on vitamin D supplementation should balance risks, costs, and potential benefits against untreated deficiency.
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