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The Role of Vitamin D in Cardiovascular Diseases
Man Hung1,2,3, Wendy C Birmingham4, Monica Ocampo1
1College of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10894 S. River Front Parkway, South Jordan, UT 84095, USA.
Insights
Low vitamin D levels, specifically deficiency and insufficiency, are linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Maintaining optimal vitamin D may support cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Cardiovascular Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a leading cause of mortality in the U.S.
- The role of vitamin D in cardiovascular health is extensively studied but remains inconclusive.
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is a key indicator of vitamin D status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between reported cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels.
- To analyze vitamin D status categories in relation to CVD prevalence.
- To provide evidence for potential vitamin D supplementation strategies in CVD prevention.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with 9825 adult participants.
- Defined CVD as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or coronary heart disease.
- Employed Chi-square tests, t-tests, and regression models to analyze the relationship between vitamin D levels and CVD status.
Main Results:
- Vitamin D deficiency (<30 nmol/L) showed a significant association with CVD (AOR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.11-1.98; p < 0.05).
- Vitamin D insufficiency (30-49.9 nmol/L) was also significantly associated with CVD (AOR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.06-1.54; p < 0.05).
- No significant association was found between adequate vitamin D levels (>125 nmol/L) and reported CVD.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Healthcare professionals may consider vitamin D supplementation to improve cardiovascular health.
- Further research is warranted to establish causality and optimal vitamin D levels for CVD prevention.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the United States. The previous literature demonstrates the importance of vitamin D for overall health, and a significant body of literature has examined the benefits of optimal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] on cardiovascular health, but the results remain inconclusive. The objective of this study was to determine the association between reported CVD and [25(OH)D]. We utilized the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and included adults aged 20 years and older (n = 9825). CVD was defined as having a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or coronary heart disease. Vitamin D status was categorized as a serum 25(OH)D deficiency at <30 nmol/L; insufficiency at 30 to 49.9 nmol/L; normal/optimal at 50 to 125 nmol/L; and adequacy at >125 nmol/L. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square tests, t-tests were conducted to investigate the differences in participant characteristics among those with CVD and without CVD, and regression models were used to explore the association between vitamin D levels and CVD status. We found 25(OH)D deficiency associated with CVD (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.11-1.98; p < 0.05). [25(OH)D] insufficiency was also associated with CVD (AOR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.06-1.54; p < 0.05). The 25(OH)D adequacy was not associated with reported CVD. For the prevention of CVD, healthcare professionals may recommend the use of vitamin D supplementation to improve cardiovascular health in adults while considering individual needs.
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