Vitamin D and cardiovascular prevention

Abstract

Vitamin D represents the precursor of calcitriol, crucial for bone and mineral metabolism. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the detection of vitamin D receptor (VDR) both in the heart and vessels have focused the interest on potential cardiovascular effects of vitamin D. Although several experimental data showed the protective role of vitamin D, on the other hand vitamin D “overdose” can contribute to heart and vascular calcification. Meta-analyses of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) underlined the association of vitamin D deficiency and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality but no significant improvements on cardiovascular outcomes are provided by the supplementation of vitamin D. The following review provides an update on pathophysiology of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor (VDR) discussing on the association with cardiovascular risk factors and disease and on the role of vitamin D supplementation in preventing cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. (Cardionephrology)