with over 80 percent reporting taking at least 80 percent of their tablets. Over the course of the trial, 1,336 participants experienced a major cardiovascular event (6.6% in the placebo group, 6% in the vitamin D group). Meanwhile, rate of major cardiovascular events was nine percent lower in the vitamin D cohort compared to the placebo group (equivalent to 5.8 fewer events per 1,000 people).

Heart attack (-19%) and coronary revascularization (-11%) rates were lower in the vitamin D group, but the team did not note any differences in the rate of stroke between the two cohorts. Notably, there was some indication of a stronger effect on those using statins or other cardiovascular drugs at the beginning of the trial. However, researchers clarify those findings were not statistically significant.