CardioExchange Archive

CardioExchange, an NEJM practice community for medical professionals dedicated to improving cardiac patient care, was active from 2009 to 2015. CardioExchange fostered discussion between clinicians from across the globe.

March 17th, 2015

Vitamin D Supplements Do Not Appear to Lower Blood Pressure

By Jenni Whalen

Vitamin D supplements do not effectively lower blood pressure, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis in JAMA Internal Medicine. Low serum vitamin D levels have previously been associated with elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular events.

Researchers examined findings from 46 randomized, placebo-controlled trials that involved at least 4 weeks’ use of vitamin D supplementation (for any indication) and reported both baseline and follow-up data on blood pressure. Individual patient data were also acquired from 27 of those trials (3000 patients).

Within both data sets (trial level and individual patient level), vitamin D supplementation did not significantly affect systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Findings were similar in subgroup analyses limited to patients with elevated baseline blood pressure or diabetes.

“The lack of effect argues against a role for vitamin D supplementation as a means of BP control in individual patients or as a population-based intervention,” the authors conclude.

Categories: Hypertension, Prevention


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