A simple way to reduce the risk of a second heart attack by half has been found
AHA: Vitamin D3 intake halves the risk of a recurrent heart attack
Taking vitamin D3 supplements after a heart attack can significantly reduce the risk of having another one, according to cardiologists from Intermountain Health (USA). The findings were presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) conference.
The study, conducted from April 2017 to May 2023, included 630 patients who had suffered a heart attack within a month before joining the study. Participants were followed until March 2025 to monitor cardiovascular complications.
They were divided into two groups — one received targeted vitamin D3 therapy to raise blood levels to 40 nanograms per milliliter. Initially, 85% of patients had lower levels, and over half required a starting dose of 5,000 IU — far above the standard recommendation (600–800 IU).
Researchers tracked serious cardiac events such as recurrent heart attacks, strokes, hospitalizations for heart failure, and deaths. Among 630 participants, 107 experienced such complications.
Results showed that while the overall rate of cardiovascular diseases was similar in both groups, those who took vitamin D had half the risk of a repeat heart attack.
The next step will be a larger clinical trial to confirm these findings and to better understand the mechanisms behind vitamin D3’s protective effect.
