Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to lead to cardiovascular problems in mice. Might that occur in people as well?
A study analyzed data on 1739 men and women (average age, 59) without cardiovascular disease. About 40% had high blood pressure.
In a five year period, 120 people developed a heart- related problem such as heart attack, stroke, angina or heart failure. Based on blood tests, people moderately deficient in vitamin D were 62% more likely to have had heart trouble than were those with higher vitamin D levels. If they also had high blood pressure, their risk increased to twice that of others. Overall, the greater the vitamin deficiency, the higher the risk of heart problems.
Who may be affected? People with vitamin D deficiency, which affects n estimate third to half of otherwise healthy people of middle age and older. Food sources of vitamin D include milk, fortified cereal, salmon, mackerel, sardines, and tuna, Sunshine is another source.
