The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is a hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. When blood volume is low, cells in the kidneys secrete a protein, renin, directly into circulation. Renin is a vitamin D regulated gene. Unlike many other genes, renin is down-regulated or decreased by vitamin D.
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24 times vitamin D has been given to people, usually in a Random Controlled Trial, and the results were recorded. The proof that vitamin D could lower blood pressure is the first trial listed at VitaminDWiki: is.gd/proofvitd. The others are Cardiovascular, Back Pain, Diabetes, Influenza, Falls, Hip Fractures, Breast Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Raynaud’s pain, Menstrual Pain, C-section and pregnancy risks, Low Birth Weight, Chronic Kidney Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, TB, Rickets, Respiratory Tract Infection, Lupus, Sickle Cell pain, leg ulcers, and traumatic brain injury
Bear in mind that a recent Cochrane review found no benefit for drug treatment in mild hypertension: http://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e5511
“throw away [your] blood pressure pills.”
Blood pressure is only *associated* with heart disease. I’d say consistently high blood pressure signifies something and likely does warrant treatment, but like cholesterol, ranges for ideal BP are arbitrary.
That said, a vitamin D-optimal body regardless of resultant BP, in most cases, is probably the thing that will really protect against cardiovascular problems.