“Vitamin D supplements, especially at high levels, should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor,” Dr. Rather than take a dedicated vitamin D supplement, for those who want to make sure that they’re hitting their nutritional needs, a multivitamin supplement is likely enough, says Dr. “These foods also contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, known to be heart-healthy.” Similarly, cow’s milk (fortified or not), yogurt and other dairy products, and tofu are all good sources of vitamin D, he adds. One of the best ways to ensure your body has enough vitamin D is through adequate sun exposure by your own skin, which synthesizes a form of the vitamin, says Newgent.Īs far as foods with vitamin D, fatty fish and seafood are good sources, particularly salmon, tuna, mackerel, oysters, and shrimp, says Dr. But while there has been much enthusiasm for vitamin supplementation to both prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, there is little high-quality evidence to suggest that any of the vitamins studied to date have a significant impact, says Nick West, M.D., chief medical officer and divisional vice president of global medical affairs at Abbott’s vascular business. Studies have suggested that people with higher vitamin D levels have a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases, adds Ernst von Schwarz, M.D., cardiologist and author of The Secrets of Immortality. And some, but not all, indicate a potentially slight protective effect of vitamin D supplementation against heart attacks.”

“Several studies have suggested a link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of heart attacks. Vitamin D plays a key role in heart health, such as in the regulation of blood pressure and calcium metabolism, as well as the reduction of inflammation, oxidative stress, and arterial stiffness, says Jackie Newgent, R.D.N., C.D.N., plant-forward culinary nutritionist and author of The Plant-Based Diabetes Cookbook. However, these findings could lead to further evaluation of the role of vitamin D supplementation, particularly in people taking drugs for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease. Researchers concluded that vitamin D supplementation might reduce the incidence of major cardiovascular events, like heart attack or stroke, but this difference was small and not very significant. The rate of heart attack was 19% lower and the rate of coronary revascularization (a procedure or surgery to improve blood flow to the heart) was 11% lower in the vitamin D group, but there was no difference in the rate of stroke between the two groups. Researchers determined that the rate of major cardiovascular events was 9% lower in the vitamin D group compared to the placebo group. Both groups were instructed to take these supplements orally at the beginning of each month for up to five years.ĭuring the trial, 1,336 participants experienced a major cardiovascular event (6% in the vitamin D group and 6.6% in the placebo group). The “D-Health Trial” took place from 2014 to 2020 and involved 21,315 participants aged 60 to 84.Īpproximately half of the participants received one capsule of 60,000 IU of vitamin D and the other half received a placebo.

You may know vitamin D as the “sunshine vitamin.” And while it’s an essential nutrient for many bodily functions, new research shows that taking vitamin D supplements could reduce the risk of heart attack in older adults.Ī study published in The BMJ looked at whether supplementing older adults with monthly doses of vitamin D altered the incidence of major cardiovascular events, like heart attack and stroke.

Experts explain why vitamin D is essential to your heart health and if supplementation is right for you.

A new study found that the rate of major cardiovascular events was 9% lower in those who took vitamin D supplements compared to those who didn’t.

Vitamin D supplements may reduce your heart attack risk, new research shows.

Heart blood flow coloring page