A recent study from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Queensland, Australia, suggests that vitamin D supplements might lower the risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases for people over the age of 60, especially for those already on heart medications.
The study involved over 21,000 men and women aged between 60 and 84, who were randomly assigned to receive either 60,000 IU of vitamin D or a placebo for five years.
During this period, more than 1,300 participants experienced a major cardiovascular event. Notably, the rate of major cardiovascular events was 9% lower among those taking vitamin D compared to the placebo group.
Additionally, the heart attack rate was 19% lower among the vitamin D group, and the rate of coronary revascularization was 11% lower.
However, senior researcher Rachel Neale stated that, overall, they found no statistically significant effect of vitamin D on major cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack, or treatment of blocked vessels in the heart.
Expert Opinions
Dr. Gregg Fonarow from the University of California, Los Angeles, highlighted that previous randomized, placebo-controlled vitamin D supplementation trials have not demonstrated a reduction in cardiovascular events.
He mentioned that the evidence currently available suggests that routine vitamin D supplementation does not provide cardiovascular benefits.
Dr. Guy Mintz, the director of cardiovascular health & lipidology at Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., pointed out that any potential reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events might be due to the anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin D, a characteristic also seen with statins and other drugs.
Conclusion
Despite the potential cardiovascular benefits observed in the study, it is important to consider that the evidence supporting vitamin D supplementation is relatively weak.
Rachel Neale emphasized that individuals at increased risk of cardiovascular events might consider taking vitamin D, even if not vitamin D-deficient, but they should be aware of the weak evidence base.
More research is needed to definitively understand the role of vitamin D supplementation in heart health.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about supplements that could help prevent heart disease, stroke, and results showing that a year of committed exercise in middle age reversed worrisome heart failure.
The study was published in The BMJ.
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