Vitamin D could help further lower the risk of a heart attack in those already on drugs that lower the risk for heart disease. — AFP
Known for its benefits to bones and skin, vitamin D may also reduce the risk of cardiovascular (heart) events.
A new study by researchers in Australia reveals that monthly vitamin D supplements may even prevent heart attacks in people over 60.
This is not the first time that scientists have investigated the effects of vitamin D on cardiovascular health, but until now, there has been no evidence of a potential link between the two.
This new research is the largest trial ever carried out on the subject.
A team of researchers in Australia set out to determine whether monthly vitamin D supplementation in older people could have an impact on the rate of cardiovascular events, and more specifically, on the rate of heart attacks and strokes.
Published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the study involved 21,315 Australians aged between 60 and 84, who received either a dose of oral vitamin D or a placebo at the beginning of each month for up to five years.
In the end, over 80% of study participants claimed to have taken at least 80% of the suggested doses throughout the study period.
The researchers then cross-referenced and analysed data from these participants about any hospital admissions and deaths, to determine whether they had suffered heart attacks and strokes, or undergone coronary revascularization (treatments that help restore blood flow to areas of the heart that aren't getting enough).
They reported that the rate of major cardiovascular events was 9% lower in the vitamin D supplement group, corresponding to 5.8 fewer events per 1,000 participants.
More specifically, the rate of heart attack was 19% lower in the vitamin D supplement group than in the placebo group, and the rate of coronary revascularization was 11% lower.
On the other hand, the scientists noted no difference in stroke rates.
However, it is important to bear in mind the limitations of this scientific study, if only because the researchers point out that the effects appeared to be more convincing in participants who, at the start of the study, were already receiving treatment designed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, such as statins.
They also mention that the difference in absolute risk was small between the two groups, although the size of the trial suggests a link between vitamin D intake and heart attack risk.
"In the meantime, these findings suggest that conclusions that vitamin D supplementation does not alter risk of cardiovascular disease are premature," conclude the study authors.
They add that further work is now warranted to determine whether this protective effect is indeed more marked in people already taking statins or other cardiovascular drugs. – AFP Relaxnews
