Evaluation of the Relationship between Serum 25(OH) Vitamin D Levels and Cardiac Functions in Adolescent Athletes.

Background: Vitamin D is a prohormone necessary for the optimal functioning of the locomotor and circulatory systems in humans. As a caveat, vitamin D metabolism is crucial for maintaining musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health for overexercising people, like athletes. Our study intended to explore the relationship between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D) levels and left ventricle/right ventricle (LV/RV) systolic and diastolic function in adolescent athletes using 2D Doppler studies.

Methods: In our cross-sectional study, 100 adolescent athletes were divided into two groups: vitamin D insufficiency (25(OH)D<20 ng/mL) and vitamin D sufficiency (25(OH)D>20 ng/mL) with 30 males and 20 females in both groups. A detailed physical examination and basic biochemical tests were performed; serum 25(OH)D levels were determined, and an echocardiographic evaluation was performed.

Results: We found that decreased serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with impairment in many indicators of cardiac function, such as left ventricular-right ventricular-interventricular septum peak systolic velocity (Sm) and Tei index, inflow peak early diastolic velocity and inflow peak late diastolic velocity ratio (E/A), annulus early diastolic myocardial peak velocity (E'), and E/E' ratio.

Conclusions: To protect cardiac functions in adolescent athletes, we suggest screening serum 25(OH) D levels during certain periods, such as fall and winter, and vitamin D supplementation if necessary.