Vitamin D and acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is a prevalent condition, cutting across all ethnicities and among all age groups, and occurring in about 30%-50% of the population. Besides vitamin D established role in calcium homeostasis, its deficiency is emerging as a new risk factor for coronary artery disease. Notably, clinical investigations have suggested that there is an association between hypovitaminosis D and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Not only has it been linked to incident AMI, but also to increased morbidity and mortality in this clinical setting. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency seems to predispose to recurrent adverse cardiovascular events, as it is associated with post-infarction complications and cardiac remodeling in patients with AMI. Several mechanisms underlying the association between vitamin D and AMI risk can be involved. Despite these observational and mechanistic data, interventional trials with supplementation of vitamin D are controversial. In this review, we will discuss the evidence on the association between vitamin D deficiency and AMI, in terms of prevalence and prognostic impact, and the possible mechanisms mediating it. Further research in this direction is warranted and it is likely to open up new avenues for reducing the risk of AMI.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Cardiovascular Diseases

“…The main evidence to suggest such an association is the VDR presence in both the myocardium and vascular cells, and the demonstration by epidemiological studies that the incidence of both CAD and vitamin D deficiency increase in winter months and in countries furthest from the Equator. 43 Vitamin D deficiency appears to be common in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and preliminary studies indicate a possible association of vitamin deficiency with AMI prognosis in the short and long term. 43 Moreover, vitamin D deficiency seems to predispose to recurrent adverse cardiac events, due to its association with the number of affected coronary arteries, AMI complications, and cardiac remodeling.…”

“…43 Vitamin D deficiency appears to be common in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and preliminary studies indicate a possible association of vitamin deficiency with AMI prognosis in the short and long term. 43 Moreover, vitamin D deficiency seems to predispose to recurrent adverse cardiac events, due to its association with the number of affected coronary arteries, AMI complications, and cardiac remodeling. 44 Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease Int J Cardiovasc Sci.…”

Vitamin D and Ischaemic Heart Disease: A Casual or A Causal Association?

“…The association of vitamin D deficiency with coronary artery disease has been investigated in previous studies [8][9][10]. One of the first reports is a Danish study conducted in 1978, which found a significant association between low vitamin D levels and angina and myocardial infarction [11].…”

Coronary artery calcium–a review article

“…Cardiovascular disease is also one of the most common causes of mortality in conditions causing hypovitaminosis D e.g., Chronic kidney disease and primary hyperparathyroidism. 79,80 Vitamin D regulates various physiological and pathological process, which play an essential role in all stages of atherosclerosis. 81 Vitamin D regulates serum calcium levels and influence factors which are the common causes of coronary artery atherosclerosis.…”