Role of Vitamin D in Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Vitamin D is critical in mineral homeostasis and skeletal health and plays a regulatory role in nonskeletal tissues. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with chronic inflammatory diseases, including diabetes and obesity, both strong risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). CVDs, including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, hypertrophy, cardiomyopathy, cardiac fibrosis, heart failure, aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, are major causes of morbidity and mortality. The association of these diseases with vitamin D deficiency and improvement with vitamin D supplementation suggest its therapeutic benefit. The authors review the findings on the association of vitamin D deficiency and CVDs.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cardiac failure and fibrosis; Cardiomyopathy; Cardiovascular disease; Left ventricular hypertrophy; Myocardial infarction; Peripheral vascular disease; Vitamin D deficiency.