A study presented at the 2015 American Heart Association Scientific Session in Orlando has found that a lack of vitamin D can cause cardiac problems which can increase the risk of developing coronary artery disease, heart attacks and strokes. Vitamin D is known for its importance for bone health.
Researchers at the Intermountain Medical Centre Heart Institute in Salt Lake City found that patients are fine from a heart standpoint, and may need no further treatment, if their vitamin D level is anywhere above 15 nanograms per millilitre.
According to a report on Daily Mail, Professor of medicine Brent Muhlestein said: “Although vitamin D levels above 30 were traditionally considered to be normal, more recently, some researchers have proposed that anything above 15 was a safe level.
“But the numbers hadn’t been backed up with research until now.
“Even if any level above 15 is safe, one out of 10 people still have vitamin D levels lower than that.
“This equates to a very large percentage of our population. The best way to determine one’s vitamin D level is by getting a blood test.”
The study involved more than 230,000 people, followed over three years, with medical records showing major adverse cardiac events, including death, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, stroke and incidents of heart or kidney failure.
Vitamin D is obtained primarily through sun exposure as well as egg yolks, cheese and fish oil.
S.O.Z