The Role of Vitamin D and Platelet Aggregation in Patients with Hypertension

Abstract

IntroductionPlatelet aggregation is seen in many inflammatory conditions and in the pathogenesis of chronic conditions like hypertension,atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus. It is seen to be associated with complications of these diseases and also has a considerable influence on the morbidity and mortality. Vitamin D improves endothelial function and causes reduction of platelet aggregation. This study aims to determine the role of Vitamin D in platelet aggregation and its effects in reducing the morbidity and mortality in patients with hypertension.Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted at a tertiary healthcare centre in 50 primary hypertensives. All subjects completed physical and cardiovascular system examination. Blood pressure recordings were done. A blood sample was taken from each patient. Platelet aggregation was estimated using chronologaggregometer after extracting platelet rich plasma using principle of light transmission. ADP and epinephrine were added to PRP to induce platelet aggregation. Serum Vitamin D levels were also measured. The values of platelet aggregation were correlated with serum Vitamin D levels in each subject.ResultsPlatelet aggregation and Vitamin D levels were correlated and a negative correlation was found. Correlation coefficient of platelet aggregation to ADP with Vitamin D was ‐0.992 (p value<0.0001) and of platelet aggregation to epinephrine with Vitamin D was ‐0.838 (p value<0.0001).ConclusionThe study determines that platelet aggregation is one of the physiological events that occurs in hypertension and may be one of the causative factors of complications like cerebrovascular accidents, ischemic heart diseases etc. Cases with lower serum Vitamin D levels showed increased platelet aggregation showing an inversely proportional relationship between platelet aggregation and serum Vitamin D levels. Hence, it can be concluded that supplementation of Vitamin D can be considered in patients with hypertension as a primary prophylactic measure for reducing thrombotic complications of hypertension and helps improve the morbidity and mortality.