Vitamin D is essential for overall health, playing a vital role in bone health, the immune system, and muscle and nerve function. Recent research has increasingly focused on its potential impact on heart health.
While prior studies have offered mixed results, a new trial conducted by Intermountain Health researchers suggests that a targeted approach to vitamin D3 supplementation can significantly benefit patients who have already experienced a heart attack.
A New Approach to Heart Protection
The study, called TARGET-D, focused on 630 participants who had recently suffered a heart attack. Recognizing that previous clinical trials may have failed by using a one-size-fits-all dose, these researchers decided to take an individualized approach:
Goal: Maintain an optimal vitamin D level of 40 nanograms/milliliter (ng/ml) in the treatment group.
Method: Participants’ vitamin D levels were closely monitored, and their supplementation doses were adjusted as needed to stay at the target level.
At the start of the trial, a significant majority (87%) of participants had low vitamin D levels, averaging 27 ng/ml.
Key Finding: Halved Risk of a Second Attack
The researchers tracked major cardiovascular events in both the treatment and control groups.
While the targeted vitamin D3 treatment did not significantly reduce all major cardiac events, the results for repeat heart attacks were dramatic:
The treatment group experienced a rate of 3.8% follow-up heart attacks.
The control group, who did not receive the targeted supplementation, saw a rate of 7.9%.
This means the targeted vitamin D3 treatment cut the risk of a repeat heart attack by more than half.
What Experts Say
Experts caution that the link between vitamin D and heart health has historically been considered one of correlation, not causation. However, cardiologists not involved in the study praised the new, individualized approach.
Dr. Louis Malinow commended the researchers for being the first to "aim at a specific level of vitamin D in this trial," noting that a failure to check levels and adjust doses may be why many previous trials failed.
Dr. Cheng-Han Chen acknowledged that if these findings are confirmed by larger studies, the discovery that targeted vitamin D3 treatment could significantly reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks "would be quite significant."
The research team plans to conduct a larger clinical trial to confirm these promising findings, which were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025.
Understanding Vitamin D3
Adults ages 18 to 70 are advised to take in 600 International Units (IU) of vitamin D daily. Sources include:
Spending time in the sun.
Supplements.
Foods like fatty fish (salmon, tuna, and mackerel) and fortified products (cereals and milk).
A doctor can check for a vitamin D deficiency with a simple blood test, which may be recommended if you have limited sun exposure, a poor diet, or certain medical conditions.
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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