Personalized Vitamin D Doses Linked to Lower Heart Attack Risk in Those With Existing Heart Disease
A new study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025 suggests that tailoring vitamin D supplementation to individual needs can substantially reduce the risk of heart attack in patients already diagnosed with heart disease. Participants receiving personalized vitamin D doses experienced a 52% lower risk of a subsequent heart attack compared to those receiving standard care.
The research highlights the importance of moving beyond a “one-size-fits-all” approach to vitamin D supplementation.Researchers began by assessing each of the 630 heart patients’ existing vitamin D levels through blood tests.A significant 85% of participants were found to be deficient. Based on these individual results, personalized doses were prescribed, aiming to achieve blood levels between 40 and 80 ng/mL – a range considered optimal for heart health by experts.
Notably, over half of the participants required more than 5,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day to reach these target levels, exceeding typical recommended daily allowances. Researchers monitored blood levels every three months, adjusting dosages as needed to maintain optimal vitamin D concentrations.
After nearly four years, the impact was considerable. While the personalized vitamin D treatment demonstrably lowered heart attack risk, the study did not find a measurable effect on other major cardiovascular events like heart failure, stroke, or mortality.
Researchers emphasize that these findings are preliminary and require peer review. The study population primarily consisted of white men around 63 years old, raising questions about the applicability of these results to women, different ethnicities, and varying age groups. Moreover, the study focused exclusively on individuals with pre-existing heart disease; the potential for personalized vitamin D to prevent a first heart attack in healthy individuals remains to be investigated in future research.
