A cross-sectional study published in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation (Volume 44, Issue 7, July 2014; pages 634–642; Epub May 14, 2014) examined the relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) and vitamin D deficiency.

The study included 1,484 patients with established coronary artery disease who were scheduled for elective coronary angiography. Blood samples were collected to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D₃) levels. Overall, 70.4% of the patients were found to be vitamin D deficient.

Participants were divided into three groups based on the severity of vitamin D deficiency. Severe deficiency was more common in women than in men. The poorest vitamin D status was associated with kidney failure, smoking, elevated platelet counts, and the use of calcium antagonists and diuretics. Interestingly, low vitamin D levels were inversely associated with LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Vitamin D deficiency was also linked to a higher prevalence of left main or right coronary artery disease, as well as an increased prevalence of overall CAD and severe CAD.

The authors concluded, “Hypovitaminosis D was observed in the vast majority of patients undergoing coronary angiography. Vitamin D deficiency is significantly associated with the prevalence and extent of CAD, especially for patients with values less than 10 ng/mL. Therefore, future large studies are needed to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation may prevent CAD and its progression.”