Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease will it live up to its hype?

Abstract

Substantial evidence suggests that a large portion of the population have suboptimal levels of vitamin D, which may adversely affect the cardiovascular (CV) system, including increasing levels of parathyroid hormone, activating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and increasing insulin resistance, thus leading to hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, metabolic syndrome/diabetes mellitus, systemic inflammation, and increased risk of atherosclerosis and CV disease events. We review the evidence that vitamin D deficiency is associated with incident CV disease events, as well as evidence that vitamin D supplementation is associated with reduction in CV diseases. Although the current evidence has created substantial hype, randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether routine vitamin D assessment and supplementation will improve CV outcomes.

• Authors: Carl J Lavie, John H Lee, Richard V Milani
• Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (J Am Coll Cardiol) Vol. 58 Issue 15 Pg. 1547-56 (Oct 04 2011) ISSN: 1558-3597 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21958881 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Parathyroid Hormone
• Vitamin D

Topics

• Cardiovascular Diseases (blood, etiology, prevention & control)
• Dietary Supplements
• Humans
• Hypertension (blood)
• Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular (blood)
• Insulin Resistance
• Metabolic Syndrome (blood)
• Parathyroid Hormone (blood)
• Renin-Angiotensin System
• Risk Factors
• Vitamin D (therapeutic use)
• Vitamin D Deficiency (complications)