London, Nov 16 Just 15 minutes of sunbathing a day can boost vitamin D levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in older adults, say researchers.

The study involving people more than 50 years of age who had low levels of the sunshine vitamin had double the risk of heart failure and were 78 per cent more likely to have a stroke.

The deficiency was also linked to high risk of death and coronary artery disease, reports the Daily Express.

"This was a unique study because the association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease has not been well established," the Daily Express quoted Cardiologist Dr Brent Muhlestein, of Intermountain Medical Centre in Salt Lake City, Utah, as saying.

"Its conclusions about how we can prevent disease and provide treatment may ultimately help us save more lives," Muhlestein added.

However, experts warn that too much sun can cause melanoma.

The findings were presented at the American Heart Association's scientific conference in Florida. (ANI)