25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Risk of Myocardial Infarction in MenA Prospective Study

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Abstract
A variety of observations are not easily explained by known cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. In most populations studied, the rate of CVD-related death is elevated at higher latitudes, increases during the winter months, and is lower at high altitudes. As noted elsewhere,1 this pattern is consistent with an adverse effect of hypovitaminosis D, which is more prevalent at higher latitudes, during the winter, and at lower altitudes. Alternative explanations for these observations are possible, but a variety of plausible biological mechanisms support a role for vitamin D. The vitamin D axis affects vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, inflammation, vascular calcification, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and blood pressure,1 all of which affect risk of CVD and myocardial infarction (MI).