Association between vitamin D deficiency and heart failure in the elderly

Abstract

Vitamin D (25-OH-vitamin D) is a hormone which acts on the calcium-phosphorus metabolism and also has extraskeletal effects. In the cardiovascular system, it regulates the renin-angiotensinaldosterone system (RAAS), inhibits vascular smooth muscle proliferation, and suppresses cardiac hypertrophy and hypercontractility [1]. We assessed the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and heart failure (HF) in an elderly population. We carried out a prospective case-control study in the Internal Medicine Department, Rio Hortega Hospital, Valladolid in 2010. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with HF and 19 were institutionalized controls with no history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The age of patients and control group was similar (83±7 years vs. 85±8 years, pN0.05). The sex distribution don't show differences. HF was diagnosed according to clinical and laboratory criteria (B-type natriuretic peptideN400 pg/mL). Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as levelsb20 ng/ml and deficiency asb10 ng/ml. Two-dimensional echocardiography evaluated systolic and diastolic function, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), atrial fibrillation and valvular disease in the HF group.