title: Vitamin D deficiency an important, common, and easily treatable cardiovascular risk factor?
abstract: Vitamin D deficiency is a highly prevalent condition, present in approximately 30% to 50% of the general population. A growing body of data suggests that low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels may adversely affect cardiovascular health. Vitamin D deficiency activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and can predispose to hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Additionally, vitamin D deficiency causes an increase in parathyroid hormone, which increases insulin resistance and is associated with diabetes, hypertension, inflammation, and increased cardiovascular risk. Epidemiologic studies have associated low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with coronary risk factors and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Vitamin D supplementation is simple, safe, and inexpensive. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to firmly establish the relevance of vitamin D status to cardiovascular health. In the meanwhile, monitoring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and correction of vitamin D deficiency is indicated for optimization of musculoskeletal and general health.
authors.affiliation: Mid America Heart Institute and University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Donald D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Hensrud
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Holick
mesh_terms: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D