title: Vitamin D: a cardioprotective agent?
abstract: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally found in very few foods, is added to others, and is available as a dietary supplement. It is produced endogenously when ultraviolet light strikes the skin. Recent epidemiologic and experimental evidence has suggested that low vitamin D levels may play a role in various cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, valvular calcification, stroke, hypertension, and cognitive decline. Low vitamin D may lead to vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, endothelial cell dysfunction, vascular and myocardial cell calcification, and increased inflammation. However, the data supporting a cardioprotective effect of vitamin D supplementation are very weak, and the large, controlled clinical trials now in progress should resolve this issue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Yaakov
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liss
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Frishman
mesh_terms: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D