Vitamin D Supplements: Not a Quick Fix for Heart Disease

Everyone wants a magic pill when it comes to better health. So, when observational studies showed that people with higher levels of vitamin D had lower rates of heart disease, interest in vitamin D supplements jumped.

It makes sense, right? If vitamin D can prevent cardiovascular disease, getting a high dose of it from supplements should help your ticker.

Unfortunately, heart health isn’t that easy. Let’s learn more from cardiologist Steven Nissen, MD.

Vitamin D and heart health

Vitamin D carries a well-earned reputation as a powerhouse nutrient. It helps your body absorb calcium to boost bone health. Vitamin D also supports your immune system and nervous system and can reduce inflammation in your body.

If your body doesn’t get enough vitamin D … well, it seems like problems often follow. Low levels of vitamin D seem to coincide with a wide range of health conditions — including heart disease.

But while there appears to be some sort of relationship between vitamin D and your heart, research shows that erasing cardiac concerns isn’t as simple as popping a vitamin D supplement.

A study released in 2017 shows that taking monthly high doses of vitamin D supplements does nothing to prevent cardiovascular disease. That held true even if participants started with a vitamin D deficiency.

Those results are in line with other assessments about dietary supplements and heart health: “This is yet another study showing that vitamins and dietary supplements have virtually no benefits in preventing heart disease,” notes Dr. Nissen.

In fact, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force says there’s insufficient evidence to recommend adults take vitamin D or any other supplement to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Risks of too much vitamin D

When it comes to vitamin D and your heart, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.

Excessive amounts of vitamin D can lead to off-the-charts levels of calcium in your blood, a condition known as hypercalcemia. That can increase your risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), as calcium deposits build on blood vessel walls.

CAD can set the stage for a heart attack or congestive heart failure as time passes.

High levels of vitamin D in your system also can lead to kidney failure, kidney stones and bone-related issues such as osteoporosis, among other issues. (In other words, it can be serious if not addressed.)

Given all of that, Dr. Nissen urges caution with vitamin D supplements. He says it’s always best to talk with a healthcare provider before starting any supplement routine.

Final thoughts

Despite what you may read online under click-bait headlines, there aren’t any miracle pills or easy shortcuts to better heart health, emphasizes Dr. Nissen. (It’s a question he gets asked a lot, though.)

So, what can you do? He suggests focusing on building healthy lifestyle habits to keep your heart happy.

“Exercise, eat a healthy diet, manage your body weight and watch your cholesterol and blood pressure ­for any signs of trouble,” he advises. “Do that and you’ll be way ahead of the game.”