Effects of Vitamin D Levels on Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of pathologies that involve heart and blood vessel disorders and are considered the main cause of death in the world. Epidemiological studies have shown the association between low vitamin D (VD) levels and CVD. This vitamin, in addition to acting on bone metabolism, plays a role in modulating the cardiovascular system. Objective: The present study assesses the effects of VD levels on CVD through a systematic literature review. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, the PICO strategy was used to prepare the guiding question, and articles were searched in the PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases by two authors independently. To guarantee the quality of the evidence of the articles included in the review, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used. The literature review followed the PRISMA recommendations. Results: In this review, 22,757 articles were identified, but only 10 were considered eligible, of which 70 % are prospective cohorts and 30 % are retrospective cohorts. The study showed that low 25(OH)D levels correlate with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and death from CVD, including in patients who had preexisting CVD. However, one article did not demonstrate this association. Conclusion: As a result, VD correlates with cardiovascular events and the risk of death.