Hypertension Highlights Vitamin D and Hypertension Current Evidence and Future Directions

The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency, defined by a 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) level 30 ng/mL, in the United States was 77% in 2004.1 Although the use of vitamin D supplementation may be increasing since 2004, it is likely that the majority of US citizens continue to have inadequate vitamin D status.2 Observational studies suggest that low 25(OH)D levels are associated with a higher risk of hypertension. However, findings from randomized trials of vitamin D supplementation to lower blood pressure are inconsistent, possibly stemming from variability in study population, sample size, vitamin D dose, and duration. If vitamin D supplementation lowers blood pressure, its widespread use could have major public health benefits. In this review, we summarize the existing literature dealing with the vitamin D-hypertension link, including mechanistic studies, observational data, and clinical trials; we place special emphasis on recent findings.