title: Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease: a novel agent for reducing cardiovascular risk?
abstract: Vitamin D deficiency is a well-established risk factor for bone disease. Emerging data suggest a pleiotropic role of this agent in a variety of functions in humans. Epidemiological studies indicate an inverse association between vitamin D deficiency and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as individual cardiometabolic risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and the metabolic syndrome. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in the atherosclerotic process. This review considers current data regarding the role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of CVD and addresses the effect of supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Clinic, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. anagnwstis.pan@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anagnostis
authors.forename: Vasilios G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Athyros
authors.forename: Fotini
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Adamidou
authors.forename: Matilda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Florentin
authors.forename: Asterios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karagiannis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D