children with low levels of vitamin D are faced with a greater risk of early heart disease, according to a Finnish study of several decades. Could early supplementation change the tide on cardiovascular prevention?
The childhood levels of 25-OH-Vitamin of predict early cardiovascular results in adulthood: cardiovascular risk in young Finnish. Image credit: Ekaterina Markelova / Shutterstock
In a recent article published in the European Preventive Cardiology JournalFinland researchers have studied if the low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-VITAMINE D) are associated with the development of an adult atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
Their results suggest that low levels of childhood vitamin D are independently associated with the development of ASCVD early in adulthood. This research can identify a significant early risk marker for cardiovascular disease, informing targeted prevention efforts.
Background
Anterior observation studies in adults have shown that low serum vitamin D rates are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
In an previous article, this team of Finnish researchers noted that low levels of vitamin D in childhood were correlated with a higher intima-media thickness of the carotid artery in adults. It is an established marker of atherosclerosis, indicating that the plate is gradually accumulating within the walls of the artery. Finally, this will lead the arteries and will block the flow of blood. If the plate bursts, it could cause blood clots.
Due to these mechanisms, vitamin D deficiencies could increase the risk of heart disease. However, it is not clear if low levels of vitamin D during childhood could predict real cardiovascular events in adulthood.
About the study
Researchers have examined whether the low serum rate of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in childhood are associated with ASCVD. The hypothesis is based on emerging evidence that exposure to early life can affect long -term cardiovascular Health. Since vitamin D influences vascular and inflammatory paths, this study aimed to study its potential role as early risk marker for subsequent cardiovascular events.
The prospective cohort study used data of 3,516 participants in the study of cardiovascular risk in young people. The serum concentrations of 25-oh-vitamin D was evaluated in 2010 using samples of serum originally collected in 1980, when the participants were between 3 and 18 years old.
The average level of childhood vitamin D was 51.3 Nmol / L, with an average age from 10.5 years. Childhood measures also included the body mass index (BMI), lipid levels (in particular low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL) and triglycerides), blood pressure, eating habits, socioeconomic status, smoking status and physical activity.
Cardiovascular events were followed by links with the national Finnish health registers, including the National Health Index and the Health Care Register, until 2018. A total of 95 participants (2.7%) experienced at least one ASCVD event, with a median age at the start of 47 years.
COX proportional risk models have been used to examine associations between different levels of cutting vitamin D of childhood and ASCVD risk in adulthood, adjusting gender, age and other precocious conventional risk factors.
The study specifically analyzed several thresholds (cutting points) of vitamin D levels – 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 and 43 Nmol / L – to assess which concentrations were most strongly associated with future ASCVD events.
Results
Researchers found that low levels of 25-vitamin D during childhood were significantly associated with a higher risk of ASCVD events on adults. More specifically, having infantile vitamin D levels below 31, 33, 35 or 37 Nmol / L was linked to an increased risk of ASCVD in adulthood. For example, children with vitamin D levels less than 35 Nmol / L had more risk of developing ASCVD compared to those with higher levels (risk ratio, 2.19 (95%CI, 1.30–3.69); adjusted for multiple risk factors). These associations have remained significant even after adjustment for many childhood risk factors, including BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure, diet and physical activity.
These associations have remained consistent in additional analyzes, in particular the appearance of propensity scores and the adjustment of vitamin D adult levels. Almost a fifth of the cohort had vitamin D levels less than 37 Nmol / L during childhood.
The results suggest that the suboptimal status of vitamin D at the start of life is associated with an increase in cardiovascular risk of decades later, regardless of other known risk factors.
The study has also explored potential mechanisms, noting that vitamin D receptors are present throughout the vascular system and that the active form of vitamin D can help reduce inflammation, regulate blood pressure and slow vascular aging, which could all influence long -term cardiovascular health.
Conclusions
This study suggests that low levels of vitamin D in childhood are independently associated with early ASCVD in adulthood, highlighting a potential early risk marker for cardiovascular disease.
The results support current recommendations to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D in children and could shed light on preventive strategies. Study forces include a large population -based cohort with long -term follow -up, robust health register data and a complete assessment of the child’s cardiovascular risk factors.
However, the limits include the potential measurement error in the use of serum samples stored for 30 years, although vitamin D is relatively stable in such conditions. The cohort was ethnically homogeneous (white European), limiting generalization. In addition, in follow -up, the participants were still relatively young, and many had not yet reached the ages to which the ASCVD becomes more widespread, guaranteeing continuous observation.
In addition, the observational nature of the study prevents the establishment of a direct causal relationship between infant vitamin levels and subsequent cardiovascular events.
In conclusion, the study provides early evidence linking vitamin D status to adult cardiovascular health. Optimization of vitamin D intake during childhood can offer a low -cost strategy and easily implemented to reduce the long -term ASCVD risk; However, additional research, including randomized trials, will be necessary to confirm causality and refine the recommendations.
