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Cardiovascular diseases are still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Besides well-known classical risk factors for atherosclerosis, more and more intention has in recent years been consecrated to novel, so called non-classical risk factors for atherosclerosis. One of such non-classical risk factors could be vitamin D deficiency, which is highly prevalent and is present in approximately 30–50% of the general population. Many studies have shown the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and different classical cardiovascular risk factors (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and lipid metabolism). Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency is believed to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. People with lower levels of vitamin D have a 2-fold risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral arterial occlusive disease in comparison to people with higher levels of vitamin D. The exact mechanism through which vitamin D influences the cardiovascular system is not yet completely understood. We can conclude that vitamin D deficiency could represent an important non-classical risk factor for the development and progression of atherosclerosis, which could nevertheless be easily treatable. Further large randomized controlled trials are needed to firmly establish the relevance of treatment of vitamin D deficiency and its possible influence on the decrease of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. As long as the results of the above-mentioned studies are not available, it is too early to recommend supplementation of vitamin D in therapy or as prevention of atherosclerosis.