The problem of vitamin D deficiency among cardiology patients

Vitamin D is crucial for calcium and phosphate homeostasis, but recent decades have highlighted its extensive extra-skeletal roles, particularly within the cardiovascular system. This is supported by the widespread distribution of vitamin D Receptors (VDRs) in the heart, vascular smooth muscle cells, and endothelium. Observational studies consistently link low vitamin D levels to various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is notably high among cardiology patients, often exceeding 50%. The purpose of this work is to evaluate vitamin D levels among cardiology patients. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive examination was conducted on 49 cardiology patients in an outpatient setting in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. The average age of participants was (64.3±1.9) years. Vitamin D status (25(OH)D levels) was determined by established diagnostic criteria. Primary diagnoses included Coronary Heart Disease (34.7%), Hypertension (44.9%), and Metabolic Cardiomyopathy (20.4%). Results and Discussion: The median 25(OH)D level was 18.6 (13.1; 24.1) ng/mL. A large proportion of the cohort exhibited deficient or insufficient status: • Deficiency: 61.2% (n=30). • Insufficiency: 28.6% (n=14). • Only 10.2% (n=5) had normal vitamin D levels. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between age and vitamin D levels (R=−0.35, p=0.01). Current guidelines recommend a differentiated approach to supplementation, focusing on screening and correction in high-risk individuals and those with established comorbidities, rather than universal application for CVD prevention. Supplementation decisions should be based on the patient's specific vitamin D status and the presence of conditions where correction offers demonstrable benefits. Conclusions: A large proportion of cardiology patients exhibit vitamin D deficiency. Clinical management should shift from a broad "CVD prevention" strategy to a targeted approach, prioritizing screening and correction of deficiency in high-risk cardiology patient populations according to established guidelines. Further research is necessary to identify specific patient phenotypes who genuinely benefit from supplementation.