Hypertension, poor lifestyle habits, and stress are widely acknowledged as leading contributors to heart disease.
However, research is now shedding light on another silent risk factor — vitamin B12 deficiency.
Falling levels of this crucial micronutrient may quietly raise blood pressure, damage blood vessels, and push up the risk of heart attack and stroke over time.
Recent studies highlight an inverse link between B12 levels and blood pressure: the lower the vitamin levels, the higher the risk of hypertension. This finding has wide implications, given that vitamin B12 deficiency affects tens of millions of people worldwide.
Vitamin B12 supports red blood cell production, nerve health, and DNA synthesis.
Importantly, it helps regulate homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood. When B12 is low, homocysteine levels rise. Excess homocysteine can harden arteries, trigger inflammation, and speed up plaque build-up, making heart vessels vulnerable to damage. It also increases the likelihood of blood clots, which can cause sudden blockages leading to heart attacks or strokes.
This risk multiplies when B12 deficiency is combined with low folate and vitamin B6, as all three work together to keep homocysteine under control. In some cases, low B12 can also disrupt nerve signals that regulate heart rate and blood pressure, leading to fluctuations or persistent hypertension.
A severe deficiency results in megaloblastic anemia, where oxygen transport in the blood is compromised. The heart is then forced to work harder to pump oxygen through the body, putting additional long-term stress on the cardiovascular system.
Healthy vitamin B12 levels range between 200 and 900 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).
Levels under 200 are considered deficient, while 200–300 pg/mL fall into a borderline range.
Since vitamin B12 is found mainly in animal-based foods such as eggs, fish, poultry, meat, and dairy, vegetarians and vegans may need fortified foods or supplements.
People with absorption difficulties, such as those with gastrointestinal conditions or the elderly, often require oral supplements or injections. Regular blood tests can help monitor both B12 and homocysteine levels, allowing timely intervention before complications set in.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is often overlooked, but maintaining adequate levels through diet, supplementation, and regular checks is a simple yet powerful way to reduce cardiovascular risk. In a country where heart disease remains a leading cause of mortality, ensuring this essential nutrient doesn’t fall through the cracks could make a measurable difference in prevention.