Calcium and Heart Attacks

Since childhood, we have been hearing about how calcium plays an important role in maintaining healthy bones. It is often said that adequate calcium in the diet is crucial for proper development of bones. As we age, the calcium absorption capability of our body reduces. No wonder, calcium supplements are often recommended to the elderly (above 50) to prevent bone loss and to keep fractures at bay. These supplements also help to alleviate symptoms of bone-related illnesses like osteoporosis.

However, recent studies are suggesting that taking calcium supplements (500 mg or more everyday) regularly puts a person in the risk zone of heart attack. Is intake of supplemental form of calcium and heart attack in women and men related? Here comes the discussion...

Calcium and Heart Diseases

When blood circulation to a specific part of the heart is reduced or cut off, the condition is referred to as a heart attack. This happens because the arteries through which blood circulates is blocked by some foreign material. So, is there any connection between including calcium supplements in the diet and experiencing heart attack? Do calcium supplements increase the chances of heart attacks? Well, this is what recent research is trying to convey.

In the last 5 years, 11 studies were conducted under the supervision of Dr Alison Avenell clinical senior lecturer at Aberdeen University. A total of 12000 patients were put on a 500 mg dose of calcium supplement daily. After evaluating the studies, it was observed that consuming calcium supplements on a regular basis elevates the chances of heart attack by 30%. Although, the risk is minimal, it cannot be ignored and calls for caution when it comes to taking these supplements.

Although, calcium supplements pose a small threat to heart health, it is not yet established how synthetically prepared calcium can harm the heart. However, doctors believe that daily supplement intake may eventually raise blood calcium to abnormally high levels. As a result, the excess calcium may get deposited on the walls of the arteries, thus making these blood vessels narrower. The narrowed arteries causes reduction in blood supply to the heart, which may lead to a heart attack.

Coronary Calcium Scan
Coronary calcium scan is a CT scan involving the arteries. As we all know, a CT scan is a sophisticated X-ray machine that makes use of a computer to develop detailed pictures of an internal organ under consideration. A coronary calcium scan, also referred as coronary artery calcium scoring, is done to detect presence of foreign substances in the arteries. The arteries are blood vessels that transport blood to the heart. The blockages in arteries is mainly due to build up of plaques, hardened deposits of calcium, cholesterol or fat. A coronary calcium scan gives a detailed internal view of your arteries, thus helping to find out any abnormalities inside the arteries. Considering the calcium and heart attacks connection as revealed through various clinical trials, people taking calcium supplements daily should undergo a coronary calcium scan on a regular basis to check for calcium deposits in the arteries. With coronary calcium scan, the doctor can easily determine the amount of calcified plaque present in the coronary arteries. The term 'calcium score' is often used to convey the results of cardiac CT scan.

A point to note that none of the studies involving 12000 participants were taking calcium supplements. Most patients today do not take calcium supplements alone. The calcium dosage is always complemented with a vitamin D supplement. To be precise, the supplement (500 mg strength tablet) that is recommended is a combination of vitamin D and calcium. The study only mentions that calcium supplements (without in conjunction with oral intake of vitamin D) is linked with increased risk of heart attacks. Now, it is a known fact that people with vitamin D deficiency have a higher chance of developing heart attacks than their peers with sufficient vitamin D levels. This fact has not been taken into consideration, while conducting the study. So, further studies are awaited that include participants taking both calcium and vitamin D supplements.

The study does suggest a link between calcium and heart attacks but the exclusion of vitamin D supplements warrants further investigations. Also, reducing the daily calcium dosage (less than 500 mg) might further decrease the heart attack risks. However, regarding calcium dosage for bone health, it is best to consult a doctor so as to keep heart health risks to a minimum.