Calcium, Vitamin D Do Not Increase Heart Attack Risk

Are calcium and vitamin D really safe for patients? New research from the UK has found that with regard to cardiovascular safety, calcium and vitamin D do not increase the risk of heart attack. The study was based on the UK Biobank, a study involving 502, 664 men and women aged 40-69 years.

As indicated in the April 16, 2016 news release, “Of the total UK Biobank participants, 34, 890 individuals (6.94%) reported taking calcium supplements, 20, 004 taking vitamin D supplements, and 10, 406 taking both (2.1%). The researchers found no associations between the use of calcium supplements and hospital admissions related to ischaemic heart disease (e.g., heart attacks), any cardiovascular event, or death following admission for either admission category. Results were similar for vitamin D and combination supplementation.”

“Furthermore, regardless of whether participants had a history of cardiovascular disease or not at baseline, calcium supplementation (with or without vitamin D) did not increase the risk of future cardiac events, findings which remained robust after other factors such as age, fatness, medication use and blood pressure were considered.”

Presenting author Professor Nicholas C. Harvey of the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, noted, “Calcium supplementation is widely used, including as an adjunct to therapy for osteoporosis. Previous studies have provided inconsistent findings with regard to associations between calcium supplements and cardiovascular events. Our results, using the largest single study to date, provide reassurance that such supplementation appears safe.”

Dr. Harvey told OTW, “Our finding, in the setting of an extremely large population-based study of over 500, 000 men and women, that taking calcium supplements, with or without vitamin D supplements, does not increase the risk of heart attacks, should provide reassurance to both patients and physicians about the safety of these supplements.”

“Although a few studies have suggested possible links between calcium supplements and increased risk of heart attacks, although these studies have received widespread coverage, these associations have not been found in other studies, and our hypothesis was that in UK Biobank, that largest single study in which this issue has been examined, we would find that calcium supplements were NOT associated with heart attacks.”

“In addition to using treatments such as bisphosphonates (e.g., Alendronate) which reduce the risk of future fracture, patients should also be assessed for risk of falling, and measures put in place to reduce the risk, if it is high. Health behaviours such as smoking and excess alcohol consumption must be addressed (i.e., stop smoking and reduce alcohol consumption), and adequate calcium and vitamin D intake should be achieved through diet, together with supplements if necessary. Weight bearing physical activity, e.g., walking, helps improve bone strength.”