@article{3086114,
    title = "Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease",
    author = "Apostolakis, M. and Armeni, E. and Bakas, P. and Lambrinoudaki, I.",
    journal = "Maturitas",
    year = "2018",
    volume = "115",
    pages = "1-22",
    publisher = "Elsevier Ireland Ltd",
    issn = "0378-5122",
    doi = "10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.05.010",
    keywords = "vitamin D;  vitamin;  vitamin D, arterial stiffness;  arterial wall thickness;  atherosclerotic plaque;  blood vessel calcification;  cardiovascular disease;  cardiovascular mortality;  cerebrovascular disease;  comorbidity;  congestive heart failure;  diabetes mellitus;  Embase;  endothelial dysfunction;  human;  hypertension;  ischemic heart disease;  Medline;  morbidity;  peripheral vascular disease;  prevalence;  randomized controlled trial (topic);  Review;  Scopus;  systematic review;  vitamin supplementation;  cardiovascular disease;  dietary supplement;  vitamin D deficiency, Cardiovascular Diseases;  Dietary Supplements;  Humans;  Prevalence;  Vitamin D;  Vitamin D Deficiency;  Vitamins",
    abstract = "Vitamin D, a soluble steroid hormone synthesized in the skin after sun exposure, plays a crucial role in calcium metabolism and is also involved in cardiovascular pathophysiology. The aim of this review is to summarize the available evidence (a) on the association between endogenous vitamin D status and cardiovascular disease, and (b) on the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes. Most studies have shown an inverse association between vitamin D levels and cardiovascular outcomes. Randomized controlled trials, however, do not consistently support a beneficial effect of vitamin D administration on cardiovascular health. Population characteristics, comorbid conditions such as diabetes, the overall population prevalence of cardiovascular disease, vitamin D status and the regimen of vitamin D supplementation may account for the conflicting results. © 2018 Elsevier B.V."
}