Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Subclinical Cardiovascular Symptoms Among Young Adults in Pakistan

Background Vitamin D is an essential component of human health, and its effects may be felt outside of musculoskeletal development. Vitamin D deficiency is common among many individuals, including those with adequate sunlight exposure. However, evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to subclinical cardiovascular symptoms (such as mild chest discomfort, palpitations, exertional breathlessness, or fatigue) in otherwise healthy young adults is limited. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between subclinical cardiovascular symptoms and vitamin D deficiency, as well as the influence of demographic and lifestyle factors, in young adults in Pakistan. Methods The research involved a cross-sectional investigation between November 2024 and May 2025 across community centres, outpatient facilities, and universities in both urban and rural areas of Pakistan. Convenience sampling was employed to recruit 402 participants aged 18 to 35 for the study. The data were collected using structured questionnaires that included a demographic profile, the Vitamin D Deficiency Risk Assessment Questionnaire (VDRAQ), and the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI). VDRAQ was used to assess vitamin D deficiency risk based on lifestyle and demographic factors, while DASI was used to evaluate subclinical cardiovascular symptoms by measuring physical functioning. The dependent variable was the vitamin D status, and its relationship with subclinical cardiovascular indicators was determined using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression via the IBM SPSS 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA). Results Out of 402 participants, 51% were men and 49% were women, with the most significant percentage falling in the age bracket of 24-26 years. There was a significant negative correlation between VDRAQ and DASI (r = -0.271, p < 0.001), indicating that a high risk of vitamin D deficiency was associated with poorer physical functioning. The VDRAQ scores were greater and the DASI scores were lower among females as compared to males (p = 0.050 and p = 0.040, respectively). The regression result ensured that VDRAQ scores were significant in predicting DASI scores (beta = -0.271, p < 0.001). Vitamin D risk levels were also significantly linked to marital status and age. Conclusion This research is crucial in establishing an essential relationship between the risk of vitamin D deficiency and a decline in physical activities, representing a marker of cardiovascular dysfunction at its earliest stages in a group of young adults in Pakistan. These results underscore the importance of screening, raising societal awareness, and promoting behavioural changes to help young people improve their vitamin D status and reduce their long-term cardiovascular risk.