Korean J Intern Med.  2016 Nov;31(6):1018-1029. 10.3904/kjim.2015.224.

Vitamin D and its effects on cardiovascular diseases: a comprehensive review

• Pérez-Hernández N
• Aptilon-Duque G
• Nostroza-Hernández MC
• Vargas-Alarcón G
• Rodríguez-Pérez JM
• Blachman-Braun R

• KMID: 2382851
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2015.224

Abstract

Vitamin D is a molecule that is actively involved in multiple metabolic pathways. It is mostly known for its implications related to calcium metabolism. It has also been determined that it actively participates in the cardiovascular system, influencing blood pressure, coronary artery disease and other vascular diseases, such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, it has been established that this vitamin is extensively involved in the regulation of both the renin angiotensin aldosterone system and the immune system. In this review, we present the different vitamin D metabolic pathways associated with the cardiovascular pathophysiology, and we include studies in animal and human models, as well as some of the controversies found in the literature. This review also incorporates an overview of the implications in the molecular biology and public health fields.

Keyword

Vitamin D; Cardiovascular system; Metabolic networks and pathways

MeSH Terms

Animals
Atrial Fibrillation
Blood Pressure
Calcium
Cardiovascular Diseases*
Cardiovascular System
Coronary Artery Disease
Heart Failure
Humans
Immune System
Metabolic Networks and Pathways
Metabolism
Molecular Biology
Public Health
Renin-Angiotensin System
Vascular Diseases
Vitamin D*
Vitamins*
Calcium
Vitamin D
Vitamins