Study says vitamin D deficiency increases risk of heart attacks

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital studied about Vitamin D. These group of investigators recently discovered that Vitamin D deficiency is related to the increased risk of heart attacks and early death. 

According to World Health Organization, 17 million people die from heart disease every year. This increasing statistics shows that heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for adults around the globe.

 In the past, a low level of vitamin D has been related to weak bone health.  Many studies initiated and scientists’ found that iron deficiency is connected to heightened risk of ischemic heart disease, which is related to issues like heart attacks.  

Other studies on the effects of low levels of vitamin D have shown an elevated risk of high blood pressure.  In another method, data was pooled from the Copenhagen City Heart Study, where scientists measured the levels of vitamin D in blood samples from 1981 to 1983.

Moving forward, the researchers aim to identify whether the link between iron deficiency and heart disease is valid causal relationship.  

Borge Nordestgaard, a clinical professor at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen said, “With this type of population study, we are unable to say anything definitive about a possible causal relationship. But we can ascertain that there is a strong statistical correlation between a low level of vitamin D and high risk of heart disease and early death.”  

He also said, “The explanation may be that a low level of vitamin D directly leads to heart disease and death. However, it is also possible that vitamin deficiency is a marker for poor health generally.”  Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids .  It is unique as it can be ingested as cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol.