Calcium Supplements and Heart Attack Risk

Studies have shown that calcium supplements can increase heart attack risk due to the spike in calcium levels in the bloodstream, leading to a hypercoagulable state that increases the risk of clots in the heart and brain. Both high and low doses of calcium supplements have been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. The Women's Health Initiative study found that women who started taking calcium supplements had more heart attacks or strokes compared to those who did not. This elevated risk was consistent across various trials and population studies, suggesting that calcium supplementation, whether alone or with vitamin D, may pose dangers to heart health. In contrast, getting calcium from dietary sources does not have the same detrimental effects as calcium supplements. Consequently, experts recommend obtaining calcium from the diet rather than relying on supplements for bone health, as research increasingly indicates that calcium supplementation may not be safe.