Supplementing with vitamin D and calcium can help lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in older adults with overweight, especially those with a BMI over 30 or who have been diagnosed with hypertension.
Research has shown a link between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of cardiovascular issues, including hypertension. However, the benefits of vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure remain unclear. To explore this, a post hoc analysis was conducted on a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of two different doses of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) on blood pressure in individuals aged 65 and older with a BMI greater than 25 and serum vitamin D levels between 10-30 ng/mL.
The study included 221 participants recruited from outpatient departments, clinics, and local advertisements in the Beirut area. They were given calcium supplementation along with either a low (600 IU/day) or high (3750 IU/day) dose of vitamin D3. Blood pressure measurements were taken at the beginning of the study, at 6 months, and at 12 months. Participants were grouped by BMI and hypertension status to better understand the effects of vitamin D and calcium on blood pressure.
The results showed that both systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased significantly across the entire group after vitamin D supplementation. The greatest reductions were seen in the high-dose vitamin D group. Among participants with a BMI greater than 30, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were both significantly reduced. Systolic blood pressure was reduced in both low- and high-dose groups, but diastolic blood pressure decreased only in the high-dose group.
Patients with hypertension saw improvements regardless of the dose of vitamin D taken. Additionally, systolic blood pressure at 6 and 12 months was significantly associated with BMI and baseline systolic blood pressure measurements, though the dose of vitamin D did not appear to be a determining factor.
These findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation, especially in combination with calcium, can be an effective strategy to manage blood pressure in older adults with overweight, particularly those with a higher BMI or hypertension.
