TY - JOUR TI - Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease AU - Apostolakis, M. AU - Armeni, E. AU - Bakas, P. AU - Lambrinoudaki, I. JO - Maturitas PY - 2018 VL - 115 TODO - null SP - 1-22 PB - Elsevier Ireland Ltd SN - 0378-5122 TODO - 10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.05.010 TODO - 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 TODO - 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. ER -