Serum Vitamin D Level and Hypertensive Crises

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with hypertension; however, there is no study on the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and hypertensive crises. This study aimed to determine the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and hypertensive crises. Material and Methods: This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 individuals in Shafa Hospital in 2016 within the age range of 40-80 years, selected through simple random sampling technique. The research population was divided into two groups of hypertensive crises (n=60) with blood pressure over 180/120 mm/Hg and hypertensive patients without history of hypertensive crises (n=60). For the purpose of the study, 5 ml peripheral venous blood samples were collected. The blood serum was isolated by a centrifugal device, and the serum vitamin D levels were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. Results: The mean levels of vitamin D in hypertensive and non- hypertensive crises groups were 29.73 and 30.23 ng/ml, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of vitamin D levels (P>0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups considering gender (P>0.05). Serum vitamin D levels showed a direct correlation with the duration of hypertension and age (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively).In addition, there was a significant correlation between serum vitamin D levels and the number of hypertensive crises over the past year. In this regard, the reduction of serum vitamin D levels was accompanied with the enhancement of the number of hypertensive crises (P<0.01). Conclusion: There is evidence on the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Nonetheless, in the present study, no significant relationship was observed between serum vitamin D level and hypertensive crises.