Surreal illustration of vitamin D, heart health, and metabolic balance

Vitamin D and Your Heart: Is There a Connection?

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Emerging research explores the link between Vitamin D deficiency and heart health, particularly for those with metabolic syndrome."

Vitamin D, often called the "sunshine vitamin," is critical for bone health and calcium balance. But recent research suggests its role extends far beyond this, influencing various aspects of our health, including cardiovascular well-being. Studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D may be associated with increased risk factors for heart disease, especially in people with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Individuals with MetS are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of vitamin D deficiency.

This article will explore the findings of a recent study investigating the relationship between vitamin D levels and non-traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease in subjects with metabolic syndrome. We'll break down the key findings and discuss what they mean for your health.

The Vitamin D and Metabolic Syndrome Connection: What the Research Reveals

Surreal illustration of vitamin D, heart health, and metabolic balance

A study published in Archives of Medical Science investigated the connection between vitamin D and cardiovascular risk factors in 110 individuals, some diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and others without. The research team sought to determine if there was a relationship between vitamin D levels and emerging risk factors associated with MetS, such as small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) concentration, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels.

Here's a summary of the main findings:

Lower Vitamin D Levels in MetS: Individuals with metabolic syndrome had significantly lower vitamin D levels compared to those without MetS.
Inverse Relationship with Triglycerides and sdLDL-C: In subjects with MetS, vitamin D concentration was inversely related to triglycerides and sdLDL-C levels. This suggests that lower vitamin D levels might contribute to higher levels of these harmful substances.
No Direct Association with Lp-PLA2 or hsCRP: The study did not find a direct link between vitamin D levels and Lp-PLA2 activity or hsCRP levels, two markers of inflammation.

The researchers concluded that people with metabolic syndrome often exhibit lower vitamin D levels. Low vitamin D is associated with higher sdLDL-C levels, potentially mediated through elevated triglycerides. However, the study found no association between vitamin D and Lp-PLA2 or hsCRP.

What Does This Mean for You? The Takeaways

This study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting a link between vitamin D deficiency and increased cardiovascular risk, particularly in individuals with metabolic syndrome. Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels may be a crucial component of heart health, especially if you have MetS.

However, it's essential to remember that this study reveals associations, not causation. Further research is needed to determine if vitamin D supplementation can directly reduce cardiovascular risk factors and improve heart health outcomes.

If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels or have risk factors for heart disease, talk to your doctor. They can assess your vitamin D status and recommend appropriate strategies to optimize your health.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5114/aoms.2012.29398, Alternate LINK

Title: The Relationship Of Vitamin D With Non-Traditional Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease In Subjects With Metabolic Syndrome

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Archives of Medical Science

Publisher: Termedia Sp. z.o.o.

Authors: Stefania Makariou, Evangelos Liberopoulos, Matilda Florentin, Konstantinos Lagos, Irene Gazi, Anna Challa, Moses Elisaf

Published: 2012-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Vitamin D and why is it important?

Vitamin D, often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin," is essential for maintaining bone health and calcium balance. However, current research suggests its importance extends beyond these roles, impacting multiple aspects of overall health, including cardiovascular well-being. Studies have explored the link between low levels of Vitamin D and increased cardiovascular risk factors, particularly for those with Metabolic Syndrome.

What is Metabolic Syndrome and how is it related to the study's findings?

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a combination of health issues, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels. These conditions together significantly raise the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The article highlights that individuals with MetS are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of Vitamin D deficiency. The study investigated the connection between Vitamin D levels and several cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with and without MetS.

What were the main findings of the study?

The findings of the study suggest that individuals diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) tend to have significantly lower Vitamin D levels compared to those without MetS. Furthermore, the study revealed an inverse relationship between Vitamin D concentration and Triglyceride and sdLDL-C levels in subjects with MetS. This suggests that lower Vitamin D levels might contribute to higher levels of these harmful substances. However, the research found no direct association between Vitamin D levels and Lp-PLA2 activity or hsCRP levels.

What is sdLDL-C, and what role did it play in this research?

sdLDL-C, or small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is a type of cholesterol associated with an increased risk of heart disease. The study indicated an inverse relationship between Vitamin D levels and sdLDL-C concentration in individuals with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). This suggests that lower Vitamin D levels may contribute to higher sdLDL-C levels, which could increase the risk of cardiovascular issues.

What are the key takeaways from the research?

This study reinforces the growing body of evidence linking Vitamin D deficiency to increased cardiovascular risk, especially among those with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The research highlights that maintaining sufficient Vitamin D levels might be a crucial element of heart health. While this study offers valuable insights, it also underscores the need for more comprehensive research to fully understand the relationship between Vitamin D and heart health. Further research should explore potential implications for public health recommendations and personalized medicine strategies.