The University of Dundee and University of Glasgow in Scotland are looking at the potential of vitamin K to reduce blood vessel calcium build up that is common in those with kidney disease, and which can provoke heart attacks and strokes.
The study is comprised of 166 CKD sufferers who will be given either 400 micrograms of vitamin K or placebo.
“This BHF-funded trial will test whether a simple treatment, vitamin K supplementation, can reduce the development of arterial stiffness – an early sign of cardiovascular risk,” said professor Jeremy Pearson, BHF associate medical director.
“If successful, it will pave the way for a large scale trial to find out whether vitamin K supplementation reduces cardiovascular events in CKD patients and therefore should become part of routine treatment.”
About a third of over-65s have CKD in the UK.