Association between Vitamin D levels and arterial hypertension in women at very high cardiovascular risk

Abstract

Background. Vitamin D is a compound of great importance in controlling the biological functions of the body in a variety of ways. Significance of Vitamin D in the pathogenesis and treatment of various diseases has been described repeatedly. One of the most discussed issues in the literature is the importance of Vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of hypertension. This relationship is particularly important in patients burdened with elevated cardiovascular risk, which undoubtedly represent patients with diagnosed disease of the cardiovascular system. The aim of the study was to determine the association between the occurrence of Vitamin D deficiency and the prevalence of hypertension in premenopausal women at very high cardiovascular risk. Materials and methods. The study included 49 women who had previously been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. In all patients enrolled in the study serum concentrations of Vitamin D were measured and the patients were classified to have Vitamin D deficiency or normal Vitamin D level, based on the existing criteria. The patients were also tested for the occurrence of hypertension. Medical records of all patients were reviewed for early diagnosis of hypertension, and blood pressure measurements were performed on admission to the hospital before the surgery by a qualified physician, in a manner consistent with current guidelines. Results. The study population was aged 47.7 ± 13.4 years. The mean body mass index was 25.2 kg/m2. Vitamin D deficiency was diagnosed in 25 (51%) patients, and hypertension was diagnosed in 30 women (61.2%). In patients with Vitamin D deficiency hypertension occurred in 18 (72%) women, while in the group without Vitamin D deficiency hypertension was diagnosed in 50% of cases (12 women). The observed difference between the groups was statistically significant (p = 0.049). There was no difference in the incidence of other cardiovascular risk factors between the groups, including the prevalence of dyslipidaemia or nicotine addiction. Conclusion. Association of hypertension with the Vitamin D deficiency has been repeatedly underlined in many scientific studies. In the present group of patients at very high cardiovascular risk, we confirmed the relationship of Vitamin D deficiency with the occurrence of hypertension. Exact confirmation of this issue requires further, largescale research, but this study may suggest the importance of Vitamin D supplementation in these patients.