Review Ties Low Vitamin D Levels to Heart Disease

A recent review article summarized the experimental data linking low levels of vitamin D to increases in incidence and severity of heart disease.

The lowest rates of heart disease in the developed world are found in the sun-drenched countries along the Mediterranean coast and in southern versus northern European countries. Cardiac death has been reported to be the highest during winter months as is the 30% to 50% higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with reduced sun exposure caused by changes in season or latitude.

The accumulation of anecdotal information linking heart disease and vitamin D set the stage for a formal review of experimental data obtained from a large number of relevant studies.

The authors at Loyola University (Chicago, IL, USA) used the term "hypovitaminosis D” in referring to lower than normal vitamin D levels. They wrote in the September 2008 edition of the journal Circulation that hypovitaminosis D originates in part from more indoor activities and the purposeful avoidance of sunshine, and that diet alone is not sufficient to manage vitamin D levels. This phenomenon coincides with the discovery of the presence of abundant vitamin D receptors in myocardial tissue and vasculature and the observation that hypertension may be ameliorated with vitamin D.

"Chronic vitamin D deficiency may be a culprit in heart disease, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome,” said contributing author Dr. Sue Penckofer, professor of nursing at Loyola University. "Most physicians do not routinely test for vitamin D deficiency. However, most experts would agree that adults at risk for heart disease and others who experience fatigue, joint pain, or depression should have their vitamin D levels measured.”

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