A preliminary study suggests that adults with heart disease who have had a previous heart attack can significantly reduce their risk of another heart attack by 52% by taking personalized vitamin D doses aimed at achieving optimal blood levels. This finding comes from the TARGET-D randomized clinical trial, presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025.
Study Highlights and Concrete Numbers
- Risk Reduction: Patients who received personalized vitamin D dosing (to achieve levels of 40–80 ng/mL) for nearly four years had a 52% lower risk of a heart attack compared to those whose vitamin D levels were not managed.
- Initial Deficiency: More than 85% of the 630 participants started the study with vitamin D blood levels below 40 ng/mL, a level often considered insufficient.
- Dosing: Nearly 52% of the treatment group required an initial daily dose of more than 5,000 IU of vitamin D to reach the target level of over 40 ng/mL. This dose is more than six times the current FDA-recommended daily intake of 800 IU.
- Overall Events: A total of 107 major cardiac events (heart attack, heart failure hospitalization, stroke, or death) occurred during the average 4.2-year follow-up. The rate was 15.7% in the treatment group versus 18.4% in the standard care group.
Participants:
- The study enrolled 630 adults with acute coronary syndrome at Intermountain Medical Center in Utah.
- Average age was 63 years old.
- 78% of participants were men.
- 48% had a previous heart attack.
- Racial Group Information (Study Limitation): The study noted a limitation in its generalizability because most participants were from the same racial group, with approximately 90% self-identifying as white. Additional research is needed for people of all backgrounds.
The TARGET-D trial customized doses based on blood test results, a departure from earlier studies that used standard doses. While the tailored doses significantly reduced the risk of a repeat heart attack, they did not significantly reduce the combined primary outcome of death, heart failure hospitalization, or stroke.
The researchers emphasize that people with heart disease should discuss vitamin D blood testing and targeted dosing with their health care professionals. They also stress that more clinical trials are needed to confirm these results, especially across diverse populations and for preventing a first cardiac event.
Disclaimer: This content is published only for health awareness and informational purposes. It's not a substitute for your professional medical advice. You must consult a doctor/healthcare professional regarding your specific health concerns.
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