Ask Dr. Si

My WordPress Blog

Connect with me on Twitter

Follow @askdrsi
Text Size:+-
  • Home
  • About
  • Topics
  • Previously Answered Questions
    • Alzheimer’s Dementia
    • Cholesterol Lowering
    • Drug Interactions
    • Falls
    • Osteoporosis
    • Senior Care Pharmacy Services
    • Shingles
    • Side Effects of Medicines
    • Taking Too Many Medicines
    • Vitamin D and Calcium
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Ask Dr. Si A Question
  • Ask Dr. Si

    Ask Dr. Si



    Dr. Si answers questions about medicines asked by baby boomers and their parents. .



    Ask a Question >>
  • Ask Dr. Si

    Ask Dr. Si



    Dr. Si answers questions about medicines asked by baby boomers and their parents. .



    Ask a Question >>
  • Ask Dr. Si

    Ask Dr. Si



    Dr. Si answers questions about medicines asked by baby boomers and their parents. .



    Ask a Question >>

November 10, 2016 by Ask Dr. Si

Do calcium pills increase the risk of heart attack?

Q:Dr. Si, I recently read that taking calcium supplements can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. I take calcium tablets so am wondering if this is something I should be concerned about? R.S., Hastings-on-Hudson, NY – SDH

A:Dear RS,

This is one of those situations where a long-standing health practice, the use of calcium supplements to strengthen bones and decrease the risk of fractures, has come under question based on new information.

The recommended daily intake of calcium is 1,200 mg for postmenopausal women, for all women age 51+ and for all men age 71+. Since many of us don’t get the recommended daily calcium in our diets it is common to take some of the many different calcium supplements (pills, tablets, etc.) sold in pharmacies. However, since 2010, a few scientific studies have found that the risk of heart attacks and stroke are higher in people taking these calcium supplements.

We know that an adequate level of calcium is needed for the heart to work correctly and we also know that people who have health conditions that raise calcium above normal levels have an increased risk of heart problems so it makes some sense that taking too much calcium supplementation could cause heart problems. There is no clear answer whether this risk is real or not because some studies have found increased cardiac risk, others have concluded that calcium supplementation poses no heart or stroke risk but at least there is some grounds for concern.

The good news is that getting adequate amounts of calcium through the consumption of calcium-rich foods, rather than by using supplemental pills actually reduces heart-related death and stroke. Getting adequate intake through diet can also have beneficial effects on blood vessels, blood pressure, blood sugar and body weight. And, dietary intake also decreases the risk of kidney stones compared to taking calcium pills. Also, the calcium in foods doesn’t cause the constipation, gas and bloating that pills may cause. Dietary supplementation avoids the temporary calcium increases that tablets cause, which might be the reason that calcium pills could possibly cause an increase in heart risk.

It is important to be aware that the maximum calcium intake (from both diet and any supplements) in people age 51 and older (both men and women) is 2,000 mg. per day. Intake of more than that amount may further increase risk of health problems related to excessive calcium.

At this point we are not sure if calcium supplements really cause heart attack and stroke but it seems clear that, for many reasons, nutritional supplementation is the preferred way to consume adequate calcium rather than relying on calcium pills. I think a reasonable approach is to eat a heart-healthy diet that includes calcium-rich foods, and, even though calcium supplements can be bought without a prescription, it is best to discuss any plan to take calcium with your health care provider to sort out a proper dosage or whether you even need any supplementation.

Categories: Calcium supplementation, Previously Answered Questions

Free sign-up for new posts

Sign up here to be notified when new information has been added to this site.

Recently Answered Questions

December 20, 2017 By Ask Dr. Si

What should my Vitamin B-12 level be?

Q: Dear Dr. Si, Could you please tell me what my vitamin B-12 level should be? JR, Camus, WA Read More >>

June 27, 2017 By Ask Dr. Si

Osteoporosis medicines may damage bone

Q: Dear Dr. Si, Why do some medicines that are used to prevent osteoporosis actually cause bone loss in some people? GT, Norfolk, VA Read More >>

February 15, 2017 By Ask Dr. Si

Tendon rupture caused by an antibiotic

Q:Dear Dr. Si, My 72 year old husband has been using a steroid inhaler for breathing problems and was given a prescription for the antibiotic Read More >>

November 10, 2016 By Ask Dr. Si

Do calcium pills increase the risk of heart attack?

Q:Dr. Si, I recently read that taking calcium supplements can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. I take calcium tablets so am wondering if Read More >>

November 20, 2010 By Ask Dr. Si

Drug interactions and Geodon

Q:My 82 yr old Mom takes hyzaar, coumadin, and now geodon. Can you tell me if this is a lethal cocktail mix? She has been on geodon for 1 month Read More >>

  • Home
  • About
  • Topics
  • Ask Dr. Si A Question
  • Contact

© 2016 All Rights Reserved • Ask Dr. Si
Powered by Ponder Consulting ®