If you’re not getting enough vitamin D, your heart could be at risk, a new study from the journal Circulation suggests. Vitamin D deficiency is already linked to an increased risk of bone fractures, but this new study shows that people lacking this vitamin could be at risk of hurting their hearts as well.

Researchers looked at 1,739 participants, with an average age of 59 years Following the five year study period, study subjects with Vitamin D levels less than 15 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) had one and a half times the risk of experiencing a first cardiovascular event such as heart failure, heart attack or stroke when compared to people with higher levels of the vitamin.

The vitamin deficiency’s effect on the heart was significant, even after accounting for other heart disease risk factors such as age, sex, and pre-existing conditions like diabetes. In the study, 28% of people had low levels of vitamin D. 

This study suggests that having low vitamin D levels could put you at a higher risk of a heart event. Common food sources of Vitamin D include milk, mackerel, salmon, sardines, cod liver oil and some fortified cereals. If you are concerned about your nutritional health, talk to your doctor about possible testing for vitamin deficiencies.

Posted: Jan 21, 2008 by the The Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Source: Wang TJ, Pencina MJ, Booth SL, et al. “Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.” Circulation, Jan 2008.