Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease - Introduction

A Special Author Introduction
Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension

ISSN: 1062-4821 • Frequency: 6/year • Subscribe Now • Journal Website

By Motiwala and Wang

In addition to its well-characterized effects on bone and mineral metabolism, vitamin D may also play an important role in cardiovascular health. Several experimental and clinical studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease.  Given the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the United States and throughout the world, these associations could have substantial public health implications. 

Experimental studies have pointed to possible mechanisms that underlie these associations, specifically reduction in neurohormonal activation, inhibition of inflammation, and suppression of cardiac hypertrophy.  Further, both retrospective and prospective observational studies have shown associations between vitamin D levels and cardiometabolic risk factors and outcomes.  Nonetheless, there have been only a small number of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes, and results of these studies have been inconclusive. 

This review summarizes existing studies relating vitamin D status to cardiovascular risk factors and disease, focusing on potential mechanisms, epidemiologic associations, and possible benefits of supplementation.  Ultimately, additional well-designed, prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to establish whether vitamin D supplementation has a role in cardiovascular risk reduction.

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