Health
Vitamin D Shows Promise for Heart Attack Survivors
Health Points
- Personalized vitamin D supplementation reduced repeat heart attack risk by over 50% in a new study.
- Most participants needed higher doses than current general guidelines to reach target blood levels.
- Further research is needed, but potential benefits are promising for those with heart disease.
Personalized vitamin D dosing may offer new hope for people living with heart disease. A recent preliminary trial found that survivors given customized vitamin D supplements were far less likely to experience another heart attack than those receiving standard care.
“I think people are opening their minds to the concept that vitamin D might be something that is good for heart health,” says Heidi T. May, PhD, principal study author and epidemiologist at Intermountain Health.
The study involved over 600 adults with acute coronary syndrome—most of whom started with vitamin D levels considered suboptimal. One group received tailored doses to reach target blood levels, while the other did not receive vitamin D monitoring or adjustments.
After roughly four years, those who had their vitamin D levels personalized showed a 52% lower chance of experiencing another heart attack. However, there was no clear reduction in stroke, heart failure hospitalizations, or risk of death.
“The large benefit was surprising — almost a halving of event rate is quite remarkable and would need to be repeated in a multicentre study to confirm,” says Klaus Witte, MD, senior lecturer and cardiologist at the University of Leeds.
Debate remains about optimal vitamin D levels and dosage. In the trial, more than half needed over 5,000 IU daily—much more than general adult recommendations—to raise blood levels to the targeted threshold.
“We had found in some of our observational data that 40 ng/mL of vitamin D [in the blood] was our sweet spot, and that’s why we chose that amount,” says May.
Monitoring remains important, as too much vitamin D can be unsafe, though toxicity is rare with regular care. The study’s findings suggest checking and personalizing vitamin D levels may be beneficial for some heart patients, but further research is necessary.
Wondering if you should get your vitamin D checked? Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
