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Vitamin D Deficiency

January 7, 2008

A possible heart risk you may not be aware of-- Vitamin D deficiency.

"People with lower Vitamin D levels did have an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular events," explains Dr. Thomas Wang of Harvard Medical School.

It's known Vitamin D deficiency can weaken bones. But Wang found it can also hurt the heart. According to his research patients with a moderate Vitamin D deficiency have a 60 percent increased risk of cardiovascular problems. People with a severe deficiency had an almost 100 percent risk.

Why does Vitamin D matter?

"A number of laboratory studies suggest that Vitamin D has a variety of important effects on the heart and the blood vessels surrounding the heart," says Wang.

Wang says more study is needed to confirm the research. But if the findings hold true, it could be significant because it's believed up to 40 percent of Americans do not get enough vitamin D.

St. Luke's-Roosevelt Doctor Merle Myerson says milk is a good source of Vitamin D-- so is fish and the sun.

"We feel that being out in the sun for one and a half to two hours a week will provide you with enough Vitamin D," says Myerson.

Vitamin D supplements are another source.

For years, Hap Snyder has taken them for overall health.

"It feels great that there's something out there that might be helping me," says Snyder.

With a family history of heart disease he also feels great knowing Vitamin D may also be helping his heart.

Visit WebMD for more on Vitamin D deficiency.

CBS News