<p class="title rtejustify">Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of deaths worldwide. Heart failure is a life-threatening condition, wherein the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood and oxygen to nourish the tissues of the body. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Increasing evidence suggests that vitamin D often called the “sunshine vitamin,” can prevent heart disease. A recent study has revealed that individuals with severe vitamin D deficiency are more prone to heart attacks. Moreover, a new study published in the journal <span class="italic">Heart Lung and Circulation</span>, reveals that vitamin D also helps in the healing of the heart post heart attacks. It prevents the build-up of scar tissues in the heart which protect against consequent heart failure after suffering a heart attack.</p>.<p class="CrossHead Rag rtejustify"><strong>What is vitamin D?</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Vitamin D is actually a hormone, not a vitamin. Vitamin D can be synthesized by our body when sunlight is absorbed by the skin. Vitamin D receptors have been reported in all tissues including the immune system, brain, heart etc. It does an impressive amount of work.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Vitamin D deficiency is mostly asymptomatic. However, a severe shortage may cause tiredness, aches, severe bone, muscle pain, stress fractures, especially in legs, pelvis, and hips</p>.<p class="CrossHead rtejustify"><strong>Heart failure & vitamin D</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">There are 8-10 million estimated heart failure patients in India alone, of which 23% patients die within one year of diagnosis. Hence, scientists are keen to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the nutrient and heart health.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">It is estimated that sun exposure on bare skin for at least 10 minutes for two to three times a week allows most people to get a sufficient vitamin D. The ideal time to bask in the sun is between 11 am and 1 pm, since the UVB exposure is maximum during this period.</p>.<p class="byline rtejustify">(The author is a professor of cardiology, AIIMS)</p>
<p class="title rtejustify">Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of deaths worldwide. Heart failure is a life-threatening condition, wherein the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood and oxygen to nourish the tissues of the body. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Increasing evidence suggests that vitamin D often called the “sunshine vitamin,” can prevent heart disease. A recent study has revealed that individuals with severe vitamin D deficiency are more prone to heart attacks. Moreover, a new study published in the journal <span class="italic">Heart Lung and Circulation</span>, reveals that vitamin D also helps in the healing of the heart post heart attacks. It prevents the build-up of scar tissues in the heart which protect against consequent heart failure after suffering a heart attack.</p>.<p class="CrossHead Rag rtejustify"><strong>What is vitamin D?</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Vitamin D is actually a hormone, not a vitamin. Vitamin D can be synthesized by our body when sunlight is absorbed by the skin. Vitamin D receptors have been reported in all tissues including the immune system, brain, heart etc. It does an impressive amount of work.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Vitamin D deficiency is mostly asymptomatic. However, a severe shortage may cause tiredness, aches, severe bone, muscle pain, stress fractures, especially in legs, pelvis, and hips</p>.<p class="CrossHead rtejustify"><strong>Heart failure & vitamin D</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">There are 8-10 million estimated heart failure patients in India alone, of which 23% patients die within one year of diagnosis. Hence, scientists are keen to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the nutrient and heart health.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">It is estimated that sun exposure on bare skin for at least 10 minutes for two to three times a week allows most people to get a sufficient vitamin D. The ideal time to bask in the sun is between 11 am and 1 pm, since the UVB exposure is maximum during this period.</p>.<p class="byline rtejustify">(The author is a professor of cardiology, AIIMS)</p>