Vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. The number of people with cardiovascular disease is increasing. This review article discusses the role of Vitamin D and Vitamin D deficiency complications in cardiovascular system. This review article was conducted by searching out electronic databases as Google scholar, Elsevier, PupMed, PMC, and Springer to find articles published between 2007 and 2015. The keywords searched out were: “Cardiovascular disease AND Vit D”, “Vit D AND Hypertension”, “Vit D AND Heart”, “Vit D AND Atherosclerosis”, and “Vit D deficiency”. The response of Vitamin D receptors in all tissues including cardiovascular system (in presence of sufficient amount of Vitamin D) can prevent from uncontrolled growth and proliferation of cells in cardiomyocytes and smooth muscle of vessels wall. This is done by specific gene control through 1/25 Dihydroxyvitamin D (active form of Vitamin D). These genes control proliferation and differentiation of cells resulting in prevention of cardiovascular tissue hypertrophy and vessel thickness. Studies revealed that Vitamin D deficiency can cause inadvertent complications in cardiovascular system but it isn’t completely clear that administration of vitamin D can be beneficial in treatment of cardiovascular disease. It is essential that adequate levels of Vitamin D is provided and replaced in the body before complications happen.