A recent scientific review has found that low levels of vitamin B12 may be connected to a greater likelihood of cardiovascular disease and stroke, according to reporting by Sharjah24. At the same time, the outlet reported, current evidence does not firmly establish that taking the vitamin on its own prevents heart attacks or lowers deaths linked to them.
The review, summarized by Sharjah24, examined how a shortage of B12 might affect the heart and blood vessels, and it also looked at where the evidence on supplementation remains incomplete.
Why it matters
Heart and blood vessel disease remains one of the most serious health burdens worldwide, so any nutritional factor that might influence risk draws close attention from researchers and the public alike. Sharjah24's report places B12 in that conversation while making clear that the science is not settled.
The distinction matters for readers who might otherwise assume that a vitamin supplement offers direct protection for the heart. According to the review as reported, the case for B12 as a stand-alone preventive measure has not been proven, even though the vitamin plays a recognized role in other areas of health.
How a deficiency may affect blood vessels
Sharjah24 reported that a lack of B12 can raise blood levels of homocysteine, a compound that may contribute to damage in the blood vessels and increase the chances of atherosclerosis, the narrowing and hardening of arteries. This proposed chain — from low B12 to elevated homocysteine to vascular harm — is central to why researchers are examining the vitamin in relation to heart health.
The review also identified groups that appear more vulnerable to a B12 shortfall, according to Sharjah24. Older adults were listed among those at higher risk, along with people who follow vegetarian or vegan diets, patients with chronic kidney disease, and individuals who have undergone obesity surgery. These groups may face a greater chance of developing a deficiency, which is why the review's findings could be especially relevant to them.
What studies of B vitamins have shown
Sharjah24 reported that some studies have indicated that taking a combination of B vitamins may reduce the risk of stroke by roughly 10 percent. In countries that do not require folic acid to be added to food, the reported reduction may be as high as 30 to 35 percent.
However, the researchers stressed that the available results do not prove that B12 alone is responsible for these possible benefits, according to Sharjah24. Most of the studies relied on a mix of B vitamins rather than B12 in isolation, which makes it difficult to separate the effect of any single nutrient. This caveat is a key reason the review stops short of recommending B12 supplements as a heart-protection strategy.
What the review concludes
Despite the open questions about cardiovascular prevention, the review concluded that treating a B12 deficiency remains necessary for maintaining healthy blood and a well-functioning nervous system, Sharjah24 reported. In other words, the uncertainty over heart benefits does not diminish the importance of addressing a genuine shortage of the vitamin.
The researchers also called for further studies to clarify whether B12 supplements contribute to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and which groups might gain the most from them, according to the outlet.
For now, the review as reported by Sharjah24 offers a measured picture: a plausible link between B12 deficiency and heart and blood vessel problems, promising but inconclusive findings on B vitamin combinations and stroke, and a clear need for more research before supplementation can be framed as a preventive measure for the heart.
