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# Vitamin D cuts risk of death from heart failure - new study
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/vitamin_d_heart_failure_death_0731120806/
- Published: 2012-07-31T21:05:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:05:01.000Z
- Description: Among 3,009 heart failure patients and 46,825 controls followed 518 days, vitamin D deficiency was linked to 52 percent higher mortality in patients and 91 percent in controls, while taking vitamin D supplements was independently tied to 32 percent lower mortality in heart failure.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Heart & Blood, Avoiding Illness, #vivvo-import

By David Liu, PHD

Tuesday July 31, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Taking vitamin D supplements may help reduce the risk of dying from heart failure and its complications, according to a new study in the April 2012 issue of European Journal of Heart Failure.

The study led by I. Gotsman of Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel and colleagues found men and women who suffered heart failure, but took vitamin D supplements were 32 percent less likely to die from the disease, compared to those who did not take the supplement yet suffered from the disease.

Both 3,009 cases of heart failure and 46,825 controls, members of a health maintenance organization (HMO), submitted blood samples for measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D \[25(OH)D\]. 

Heart failure patients had a median 25(OH)D level at 36.9 nmol/L, compared to 40.7 nmol/L for the control group. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 28 percent of heart failure patients and 22 percent in controls who did not suffer the disease. Only 8.8 percent of heart failure patients had optimal 25(OH)D levels. 

For the study, all cases and controls were followed for 518 days.

Vitamin D deficiency was correlated with 52 percent increased risk of death in patients with heart failure and 91 percent increased risk of mortality in controls who did not have heart failure, compared to those who did not have vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D supplementation was found independently associated with 32 percent reduced mortality in heart failure patients compared to those who did not take the supplement. 

Factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in heart failure patients included less solar radiation exposure, higher body mass index, diabetes, female gender, and decreased calcium and haemoglobin levels.

The researchers concluded "Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in HF patients and is a significant predictor of reduced survival. Vitamin D supplementation was associated with improved outcome."

Heart failture is a very common medical condition. In the United States, 5.8 million people have heart failure and 670,000 news cases were diagnosed each year. The condition was a contributing case of 282,752 deaths in the U.S. in 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Heart failure in many cases can be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle.