New research from the University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital shows that low levels of vitamin D are associated with a markedly higher risk of ischemic heart disease, which covers heart attack, coronary arteriosclerosis, and angina. The study involved more than 10,000 Danes and has been published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.
“We examined the association between a low level of vitamin D and ischemic heart disease and death and observed that low levels of vitamin D compared to optimal levels are linked to 40% higher risk of ischemic heart disease, 64% higher risk of heart attack, 57% higher risk of early death, and no less than 81% higher risk of death from heart disease,” says Dr. Peter Brøndum-Jacobsen, Clinical Biochemical Department, Copenhagen University Hospital.
The scientists compared the 5% lowest levels of vitamin D (less than 15 nanomol vitamin per liter serum) with the 50% highest levels (more than 50 nanomol vitamin per liter serum). The higher risks are visible even after adjustment for several factors that can influence the level of vitamin D and the risk of disease and death. Researchers are now working to determine whether the connection between a low level of vitamin D and the risk of heart disease is a genuine causal relationship; that is, they are seeking to determine whether low levels or vitamin D lead directly to heart disease, or whether vitamin deficiency is a marker for poor health in general.
Read the study abstract.
