ABSTRACT
Background: There is close relationship between Vit D deficiency and hypertension. It was found that Vit D is potent inhibitor of Renin Aldosterone Angiotensin System [RAAS] which is the main mechanism responsible for development of hypertension
Aim of The Work: To assess the role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of essential hypertension and aggravation of its vascular complications
Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted on 80 individuals. Individuals were divided into two groups: Group 1: comprising 60 patients with essential hypertension. Group 2: comprising 20 healthy individuals. All individuals included in the study were submitted to: Complete history and physical examinations to evaluate exclusion criteria. Liver and renal function tests, fasting and PP blood glucose, CBC, lipid profile, serum vitamin D [25 hydroxycholecalciferol], serum Ca and Ph. Doppler study on carotid artery to assess vascular complications and Echocardiography to assess ventricular mass was done
Results: There was statistically significant decrease [p value <0.05] in vitamin D in patients group in comparison to control group. There was highly statistically significant increase [p value <0.001] in intimal thickness and left ventricular mass in patients with low vitamin D level in comparison to patients with normal vitamin D level. In the patient group, 6 patients [10%] were suffering from vitamin D deficiency while 30 [50%] were suffered from vitamin D insufficiency while 24 [35%] show normal levels of vitamin D. Interestingly, intimal thickness and ventricular mass were significantly higher in patients with essential hypertension with low vitamin D than those with normal vitamin D levels
Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency occurs in the majority of essential hypertension patients and therefore decreased serum vitamin D levels is considered an additional risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality