Vitamin D and cardiometabolic disorders

High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev. 2014 Dec;21(4):251-6. doi: 10.1007/s40292-014-0060-5. Epub 2014 Sep 9.

Abstract

Recent clinical and experimental studies suggest that vitamin D status could play a significant role in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic disorders as well as in their clinical severity. In particular, low vitamin D levels appear to increase the risk of major cardiovascular events in apparently healthy individuals and to worsen the prognosis quoad vitam and quoad valetudinem following a cardiovascular event. The relevance of these observations is amplified by the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency that affect over one billion individuals at all ages worldwide. Randomized controlled trials are currently underway in U.S., Europe and Oceania to demonstrate a cause-effect relationship by assessing the effects of vitamin D supplementation on various cardiovascular outcomes. Aim of this review is to point out the more recent advances in knowledge about the relationship between vitamin D status and the incidence, prevalence and pathogenesis of more common cardiometabolic disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / physiopathology

Substances

  • Vitamin D