According to the research lead by Edward Giovannucci, M.D, Sc.D (Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston) and colleagues, men who have low levels of vitamin D are at higher risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction). The study is published in the June 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

The deaths due to cardiovascular diseases are most commonly seen in the people of higher latitudes area where there is less sun shine as compared to higher altitudes. The Researchers relate these findings with the hypovitaminosis – a term refers to vitamin D deficiency disease which is common at higher latitudes and lower altitudes areas during the winter month. The study shows that vitamin D deficiency affects body in such a way that may cause the risk of heart attack and heart disease.

The investigators compared the medical records and blood samples of 454 men in the age group of 40 to 75. These data were collected between January 1993 and December 1995. These patients were followed up till January 2004. The reports of 454 men are then compared with the blood samples of 900 men who do not have history of any cardiovascular diseases. They also collected information of diets and lifestyle from them using the self administered questionnaires.

They studied the report of 900 men and found that men having vitamin D level of 15 nanograms per milliliter of blood or less are more susceptible to heart attack as compared to the men having 30 nanograms per milliliter of blood.

Further the researchers compared the results of myocardial infarction with other factors like body mass index, alcohol consumption, physical activity, history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, ethnicity, region, marine omega 3 intakes, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels but the risks of attack remain same. Even the risk factor is higher in men who have intermediate level of vitamin D as compared with those having sufficient levels.

They concluded from further studies that deficiency of vitamin D in the body has resulted in the increasing rate of total deaths due to heart attacks and its related disease. Hence the report of the investigations supporting the fact that vitamin D deficiency results to higher risk of myocardial infarction. The author suggested that to decrease the risk of myocardial infarction and to have better health benefits, the requirement of vitamin D has to be substantially increased to 25(OH) D levels.