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Daily Vitamin D-3 Supplementation May Benefit Heart Failure Patients
In the US, around 5.1 million people have heart failure, which occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough oxygen-rich blood around the body to support other organs.
The prognosis for heart failure patients is poor; around 50% of those diagnosed with the condition die within 5 years of diagnosis.
But according to Dr. Klaus Witte, of the University of Leeds School of Medicine in the UK, and colleagues, a daily vitamin D-3 supplement could benefit heart function for patients with chronic heart failure.
The researchers note that patients with heart failure often experience vitamin D deficiency; heart failure is most common among adults aged 65 and older, and older individuals tend to make less vitamin D-3 in response to sunlight than younger individuals.
Improved ejection fraction with vitamin D-3 supplementation
To reach their findings, the team enrolled more than 160 patients who were being treated for heart failure at Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Trust, where Dr. Witte is a consultant cardiologist.
- In 2009, heart failure contributed to 1 in 5 deaths in the US
- Heart failure costs the US around $32 billion annually
- Hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease are key risk factors for heart failure.
Explaining what the results may mean for individuals with heart failure, Dr. Witte says:
“This is a significant breakthrough for patients. It is the first evidence that vitamin D-3 can improve heart function of people with heart muscle weakness – known as heart failure. These findings could make a significant difference to the care of heart failure patients.â€
The researchers say their results indicate that for some patients with heart disease, regular supplementation with vitamin D-3 may reduce their need for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
An ICD is battery-powered device that is implanted under the skin and connected to the heart with thin wires. The device monitors heart rhythm. On detecting any abnormalities, it delivers an electric shock to the heart, restoring normal rhythm.
“ICDs are expensive and involve an operation,†says Dr. Witte. “If we can avoid an ICD implant in just a few patients, then that is a boost to patients and the NHS as a whole.â€
ishonest recently reported on a study suggesting that measuring levels of two components of vitamin D – total vitamin D and bioavailable vitamin D – could predict the risk of poor cardiovascular health.