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Hypertension And Vitamin D Supplementation

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Hypertension and vitamin D supplementation
Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of worldwide mortality and morbidity and accounted 30% of deaths around the world in 2003 (Vacek et al., 2011). Hypertension is a worldwide epidemic that has a strong association with age and life patterns (Wuerzner, Burnier & Waeber, 2012). Hypertension has been considered as a major risk factor of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, chronic kidney disease, mental health issues and early death (Vacek et al., 2011; Wuerzner, Burnier & Waeber, 2012). If the systolic pressure reaches to 140mm Hg or higher and diastolic pressure climbs up to 90 mm Hg, this condition can be termed as hypertension (Torpy, Lymn & Glass, 2010, p. 2098).
Evidence suggests that vitamin D insufficiency is associated with hypertension and cardiovascular disease (Vacek et al., 2011). To treat hypertension, international guidelines recommend use of pharmaceutical agents which not only reduce blood pressure but also decrease the risk of CAD, stroke, heart failure and pre-mature death (Wuerzner, Burnier & Waeber, 2012). Vitamin D is an important element of bone mineralization and homeostasis however, the role of vitamin D in treating hypertension is unknown (Geleijnse, 2011). The use of vitamin D to treat hypertension has not been recognised in the treatment guidelines (Wuerzner, Burnier & Waeber, 2012). Some studies on animals have found that vitamin D may be used to reduce

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