Age, Gender and Vitamin D3 as Determinants of Cardiac Risk: A Cross-Sectional Study on Preventive Care

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be a major global health challenge, with its risk influenced by both modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Evidence suggests an inverse relationship between serum vitamin D3 levels and cardiovascular risk, influenced by age, gender, and lifestyle. This study aims to assess the prevalence of CVD risk factors and evaluate the role of vitamin D3 status among adult IT professionals in suburban Chennai. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from March to April 2024 among 272 adults working in selected IT companies. Participants were chosen via convenience sampling, and data were collected through self-reported questionnaires and physiological assessments including blood pressure, BMI, and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels. Statistical analyses involved Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni post-hoc tests to determine associations between vitamin D3 and CVD risk factors. Results: Among 272 adult participants, 75.6% were had deficient, 23.3% had insufficient and only 1.2 % had normal level of vitamin D3. Overweight and obesity were observed in 47.8% and 18.4% respectively, while 38.6% exhibited elevated blood pressure. CVD risk factors were more prevalent in individuals aged ≥40 years (71.2%) compared to those <40 years (42.5%). Males showed a higher prevalence (65.3%) of risk factors than females (48.7%), with postmenopausal women showing a notable rise (69.4%). A moderate negative correlation was found between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and Vitamin D3 (R = -0.491, p = 0.000), and a moderate to strong negative correlation between diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and Vitamin D3 (R = -0.566, p = 0.000). Both correlations were statistically significant at the 1% level. Age significantly affects vitamin D levels (P = 0.021), while gender and profession show no significant impact. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of recognizing vitamin D3 deficiency, alongside age, gender, BMI, and blood pressure, as critical contributors to cardiovascular risk. Regular screening and early lifestyle interventions, including vitamin D optimization, may serve as effective strategies in mitigating the growing burden of CVD, especially in high-risk populations such as urban IT workers.