Vitamin D, cardiovascular disease and risk factors

Tea Skaaby*, Betina H. Thuesen, Allan Linneberg

*Corresponding author for this work
17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Observational studies have suggested a possible protective role of vitamin D on the cardiovascular system. The available evidence does not support either cardiovascular benefits or harms of vitamin D supplementation. This chapter provides an overview and discussion of the current knowledge of vitamin D effects from a cardiovascular health perspective. It focuses on vitamin D in relation to cardiovascular disease, i.e. ischemic heart disease, and stroke; the traditional cardiovascular risk factors hypertension, abnormal blood lipids, obesity; and the emerging risk factors hyperparathyroidism, microalbuminuria, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Meta-analyses of observational studies have largely found vitamin D levels to be inversely associated with cardiovascular risk and disease. However, Mendelian randomization studies and randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) have not been able to consistently replicate the observational findings. Several RCTs are ongoing, and the results from these are needed to clarify whether vitamin D deficiency is a causal and reversible factor to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUltraviolet Light in Human Health, Diseases and Environment
EditorsShamim I. Ahmad
Number of pages10
Volume996
PublisherSpringer New York LLC
Publication date2017
Pages221-230
ISBN (Print)978-3-319-56016-8
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-56017-5
Publication statusPublished - 2017
SeriesAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
Volume996
ISSN0065-2598

Keywords

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Diabetes
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Hypertension
  • Microalbuminuria
  • Obesity
  • Vitamin D

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