title: Hypovitaminosis D and peripheral arterial disease: emerging link beyond cardiovascular risk factors.
abstract: Vitamin D has received increasing interest for its beneficial effect on health. Beyond its conventional role in bone metabolism, emerging evidence suggests a possible link between low vitamin D levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD), including peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and cardiovascular risk factors. Vitamin D interacts either directly with the vascular tree or indirectly through its association with cardiovascular risk factors, but the exact mechanism remains controversial. This review outlines the association between hypovitaminosis D and PAD. Both entities are quite prevalent in the general population and, therefore, their potential association might have important clinical implications. Whether vitamin D deficiency represents a novel risk factor for PAD/CVD, and whether vitamin D supplementation would reduce the burden of CVD still remains to be answered. Until then, vitamin D intake is not recommended for PAD/CVD prevention. Outdoor physical activity, coupled with adequate but safe sun exposure, is a healthy lifestyle practice suggested for the prevention of both PAD and hypovitaminosis D.
authors: Outpatient Clinic of Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolism, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100, Greece. vangouv@yahoo.gr
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Gouveri
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Papanas
authors: A I
authors: AI
authors: Hatzitolios
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Maltezos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control