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New study confirms vitamin D's link to heart health risk factors

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Individuals who are already at risk for cardiovascular complications may consider talking to their doctor about the benefits of vitamin D testing the next time they are in the office. New research confirms that low levels of the nutrient are linked to a number of heart health problems.

A team of researchers from the John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute reviewed the results of 75 previously published investigations on the connection between low vitamin D levels and cardiovascular risk factors, according to USA Today.

The results showed that people who have low levels of the nutrient are significantly more likely to experience a heart attack and to die from a cardiovascular event.

"This isn't original research, but it's a very extensive review of the existing literature. There's evidence low vitamin D levels affect blood pressure, insulin resistance, coronary artery disease," lead researcher Carl Lavie told the news source.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that more than one-third of U.S. adults have low levels of vitamin D, which may put them at risk for cardiovascular events.