Is low Vitamin D Levels A Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) among Indians has been shown to occur at an early age and is more aggressive, extensive and malignant. In India deaths due to CAD occur in 52.2% as compared to only 22.8% in the developed world. Evolving data is indicating that vitamin D deficiency is playing an important role in genesis of coronary risk. Hence, we proposed to study whether the low Vitamin D levels a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Material and methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted in 252 subjects from Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. Among 252 subjects, 154 subjects were normal healthy controls (Group I) and 98 were angiographically proven CAD cases (Group II). Biochemical parameters such as Fasting plasma glucose, Fasting Insulin, 25 (OH) vitamin D, Lipid profile, iPTH, hs CRP were measured. HOMA IR and Atherogenic indices were calculated. Results: The study findings suggest that among both the groups 84.0% were found to be vitamin D deficient and insufficient, only 16.0% are with vitamin D sufficient levels. HOMA IR was more in CAD subjects as compared to controls. However no statistically significant association was found between 25(OH) D and HOMA IR. Conclusion: The present study findings suggests that lower vitamin D level is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases but only in presence of other risk factors. However, supplementation of vitamin D among control subjects might be beneficial on cardiovascular outcomes.