For Your Healthy Heart

For Your Healthy Heart Vitamin D may protect against heart attack

Men with low levels of vitamin D have an elevated risk for a heart attack, researchers said in the latest study to identify important possible health benefits from the "sunshine vitamin". In the study, men classified as deficient in vitamin D were about 2-3 times more likely to have a heart attack than those with higher levels of the vitamin. "Those with low mitamin D, on top of just being at higher risk for heart attack in general, were at particularly high risk to have a fatal heart attack, study author Dr.Edward Giovannucci of the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston said in a telephone interview. The body makes vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Milk commonly is fortified with it, and it is found in fatty fish like salmon. Vitamin D helps the body ab sorb calcium and is considered important for bone health. In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, and it can lead to rickets in children. A number of recent studies have indicated vitamin D also may offer a variety of other health benefits, including protecting against types of cancer including colon and breast cancer, peripheral artery diseast and tuberculosis. In January, researches led by Dr.Thomos Wang of Harfvard Medical School reported findings that fir with the new study, showing that people with low vitamin D levels have a higher risk for heart attack, heart failure and stroke.Giovannucci said there is enough evidence ab out the value of vitamin D to encourage people to ensure they have normal levels. He said people can learn their vitamin D levels by having their doctor give them a blood test. Those whose leveals are too low can take vitamin D supplements he said. "Many people have low vitamin levels, "Giovannucci said. "Traditionally, physicians have only been concerned about the bone effects. But herhaps having these chronically low levels of vitamin D may be having these subtle physiological changes in a lot of tissues," Giovannucci added. Giovannucci said there could be a number of ways in which vitamin D may protect against heart attack. He said it might lower blood pressure, regulate inflammation, reduce calcification of coronary arteries, affect the heart muscle or reduce respiratory infections in winter.