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Lack Of Vitamin D Can Double Your Risk Of Stroke

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Dec 1, 2008 7:28 pm US/Eastern

Lack Of Vitamin D Can Double Your Risk Of Stroke

BOSTON (WBZ) ― Getting a little sunshine could be vital for your heart health. That's because lack of Vitamin D, known as the sun vitamin, has been proven to cause bone and muscle weakness. But new research suggests that low levels can also double the risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart failure.

According to Dr. Seth Uretsky, Director of Cardiac CT and MRI at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, low levels of Vitamin D have been associated with higher blood pressure and that can lead to thickening of blood vessels.

People aren't meeting their daily Vitamin D requirements because many of us are spending less time in the sun. And when we're outside for extended periods of time, sunscreen is vital, but that blocks the body from making Vitamin D.

Read: SPF Confusion: the Truth Behind The Numbers

In fact, it's estimated that half of adults and 30 percent of kids and teens aren't getting enough of it, but that's easy to fix. "Oily fish is known to have large doses of Vitamin D," says Dr. Uretsky. "You can also drink milk," he adds.

There are also Vitamin D supplements, but the simplest prescription is to get a little fresh air. "Short periods of time in the sunlight," Dr. Uretsky says, "can pretty much give us all the Vitamin D that we need."

Doctors say more research is needed to determine if actually giving patients additional Vitamin D can improve heart health, but stronger bones and muscles aren't a bad tradeoff.

If you're wondering whether you or your child is getting enough Vitamin D, put a call into your doctor.

Checking Vitamin D levels in the blood isn't a routine test yet, but more and more doctors are screening people at risk -- especially the elderly. And some would advise older Americans to go ahead and take a daily Vitamin D supplement just as a precaution. But, of course, check with your doctor first.

For more information about the newest research on Vitamin D and heart health, visit MedicineNet.com.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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