Vitamin D and blood pressure connection: update on epidemiologic, clinical, and mechanistic evidence

Nutr Rev. 2008 May;66(5):291-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00035.x.

Abstract

Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease. High blood pressure is a growing public health problem that is expected to affect 1.6 billion people worldwide by the year 2025. In light of emerging evidence of a widespread global problem of vitamin D deficiency, there has been increasing interest concerning the role of vitamin D in chronic disease. The recent publication of several studies, highlighted in this brief review, supports an association between vitamin D status and blood pressure. It remains to be determined what level of vitamin D status needs to be achieved in different subpopulations to assure the maximum benefit of vitamin D status on blood pressure.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dietary Supplements
  • Epidemiologic Studies
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Hypertension / etiology*
  • Vitamin D / physiology*
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy

Substances

  • Vitamin D