Low Vitamin D Status Linked to Heart Failure and Sudden Cardiac Death

Reference: "Association of vitamin D deficiency with heart failure and sudden cardiac death in a large cross-sectional study of patients referred for coronary angiography," Pilz S, Marz W, et al, J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2008 August 5; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Public Health, Division of Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria. E-mail: Stefan Pilz, stefan.pilz@chello.at ).

Summary: In a study involving 3,299 Caucasian subjects who were routinely referred to coronary angiography at baseline (1997-2000), low vitamin D status was found to be associated with increased risk of deaths due to heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Patients were followed up with for an average of 7.7 years, during which time 116 died due to heart failure and 188 died due to sudden cardiac death. As compared to patients with optimal serum 25(OH)D levels (75 nmol/L or greater), those with severe vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L) were found to have a 2.84 hazard ratio for death due to heart failure and 5.05 for sudden cardiac death. The authors conclude, "Interventional trials are warranted to elucidate whether vitamin D supplementation is useful for treatment and/or prevention of myocardial diseases."