Low Levels of Vitamin D Linked to High Blood Pressure

A new study by researchers at the Institute of Child Health at University College London has found that low vitamin D levels can trigger high blood pressure. The researchers looked at the genetic link between vitamin D levels and the risk of hypertension or high blood pressure. The risk of developing high blood pressure fell by 8.1 percent for every 10 percent increase in the concentrations of the 25-hydroxyvitamin form of vitamin D, they reported.

"Our new data provide further support for the important non-skeletal effects of vitamin D. We now intend to continue this work by examining the causal relationship between vitamin D status and other cardiovascular disease-related outcomes," said lead researcher Vimal Karani, from the Institute of Child Health at University College London. He added that some cases of cardiovascular disease can be prevented by taking vitamin D supplements.

The study details were presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics in Paris.



Source-Medindia