Low Vitamin D Levels Associated with Cardiovascular Disease

by | Apr 29, 2016 | 2015, Cardiovascular Health, Infant and Children's Health, Vitamin D - Heart, Vitamin D - Recommended Levels

Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Very low vitamin D levels in children are associated with a significantly higher prevalence of carotid artery wall thickness and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Low levels of vitamin D have been shown to increase the risk of stroke, heart attack and total cardiovascular events (1-3). In people with a high risk for cardiovascular disease, cardiologists will measure the thickness of the wall of the carotid artery, known as intima-media thickness (IMT). An increase in IMT is a marker for atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries (1) and predicts future cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke (1, 4).

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common among children worldwide (1, 5). Due to the connection between low vitamin D levels and cardiovascular events, current research examined the relationship between low childhood vitamin D levels and adult carotid IMT (1). The research included 2148 children from 3-18 years of age (1,187 females, 961 males). As children, their blood was drawn to measure vitamin D levels. The participants were then followed up 27 years later (30-45 years of age) and received ultrasound studies of their carotid arteries to test IMT.

The following results were observed:

  • Girls had lower childhood vitamin D concentrations than boys (50.0 vs. 53.3 nmol/L, P<0.0001)
  • 39% of males and 31% of females with the lowest levels of vitamin D, meaning they were in the lowest quartile, with vitamin D levels less than 40.0 nmol/L, remained in the lowest quartile in adulthood.
  • 2.5% or a total of 54 of participants had carotid plaque.
  • Participants with vitamin D levels in the lowest quartile (less than 40 nmol/L) had a significantly higher prevalence of high risk-IMT as adults (21.9% vs. 12.7%, P<0.001)

Overall, the lower the childhood blood levels of vitamin D, the greater the prevalence of high risk-IMT in the carotid artery (1). These results show that atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries, is occurring without other symptoms. Previous research has shown individuals with low levels of vitamin D have an increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke, which could be due to atherosclerosis observed in this research study. The current US guidelines suggest vitamin D levels be at least 50 nmol/L in children. The current research showed levels below 43 nmol/L were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events due to atherosclerosis (measured by carotid IMT) (1).

In conclusion, low levels of vitamin D in childhood are associated with atherosclerosis in adults (1). These results indicate low levels of vitamin D in children have a negative effect on vasculature later in life (1). Future research should determine if there is an optimal level of vitamin D supplementation to prevent the change in IMT from occurring.

Source: Juonala, Markus, et al. “Childhood 25-OH vitamin D levels and carotid intima-media thickness in adulthood: the cardiovascular risk in young Finns study.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 100.4 (2015): 1469-1476.

© 2015 by the Endocrine Society

Posted June 22, 2015.

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at  www.awarenesswellness.com.

References:

  1. Juonala M, et al. Childhood 25-OH Vitamin D Levels and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Adulthood: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. 2015 J Clin Endorinol Metab 100: 0000-0000 DOI:10.1210/jc.2014-3944.
  2. Marniemi J, et al. Dietary and serum vitamins and minerals as predictors of myocardial infarction and stroke in elderly subjects. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2005;15:188 –197.
  3. Wang TJ, et al. Vitamin D deficiency and risk of cardiovascular disease. Circulation. 2008;117:503–511.
  4. O’Leary DH, et al. Carotid-artery intima and media thickness as a risk factor for myocardial infarction and stroke in older adults. Cardiovascular Health Study Collaborative Research Group. N Engl J Med. 1999;340(1):14 –22.
  5. HolickMF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(3):266 –281.