Vitamin D: 10 Benefits to Your Cardiovascular System

Vitamin D maintains the health of the cardiovascular system by helping to regulate cells, blood pressure, and blood sugar level throughout the body.

Studies suggest a deficiency in vitamin D could result in heart disease and associated cardiovascular risks.

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Vitamin D is found in salmon and other fatty fish, milk, fortified orange juice, and vitamin D supplements. A strong source of getting the most out of that vitamin D in your body is exposure to sunlight, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, as the sun's rays catalyze the body's production of vitamin D.

Adequate levels of vitamin D offer these 10 potential benefits to the cardiovascular system:

1. Diminishes the risk of coronary heart disease. 

People who live in higher elevations with more exposure to sunlight have a lower risk of heart disease. The disease rate is higher during the winter than in summer, according to the Vitamin D Council.

2. Lowers the risk of heart attack.

Harvard researchers found that people with low vitamin D levels doubled their risk of developing a heart attack compared to those with adequate levels.

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3. Protects the body from congestive heart failure.

4. Prevents peripheral arterial disease.

5. Reduces the risk of strokes.

6. Prevents or lowers the risk of diabetes.

7. Maintains proper blood pressure.

8. Reduces the risk of thickening of the arterial walls.

9. Decreases inflammation in the body that could cause cardiovascular problems.

10. Lowers the risk of hardening of the arteries, which leads to heart disease.

Vitamin D levels can be checked by a doctor, who can recommend the proper dosage for a patient’s particular needs. Many doctors recommend 1,000 IU to 2,000 IU daily for most adults, according to Cleveland Clinic.

It is best to discuss vitamin D intake for the cardiovascular system with a doctor, especially when considering taking supplements along with your diet. Excess amounts of vitamin D may result in the body absorbing more calcium than it needs, causing a risk of kidney stones or kidney damage.

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