BMJ  2008;336:226-227 (2 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.39463.394468.80 (published 17 January 2008)

Editorials

Cardiovascular risks of calcium supplements in women

Increased risk of myocardial infarction outweighs the reduction in fractures

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Calcium is an important component of bone, and a sufficient intake of calcium is needed for bone homoeostasis. Calcium supplements can reduce the risk of fractures in elderly women who are deficient in calcium and vitamin D, but data on the risk of adverse effects on cardiovascular outcomes have so far been inconclusive. In their accompanying paper, Bolland and colleagues report a preplanned secondary analysis of their randomised controlled trial of calcium supplements in 1471 postmenopausal women. They analysed the effect of calcium supplements on myocardial infarction, stroke, and sudden death.1

Calcium and vitamin D supplements have been shown to reduce the risk of hip fractures in elderly institutionalised women who are deficient in calcium and vitamin D.2 More recent large trials based in the community have been negative, but this may have been the result of poor adherence,3 which is particularly important for calcium to be effective. Benefit has . . . [Full text of this article]

Graeme Jones, professor of rheumatology and epidemiology, Tania Winzenberg, postdoctoral research fellow

1 Menzies Research Institute, Hobart, Tas, Australia 7000

g.jones@utas.edu.au


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to StumbleUpon StumbleUpon   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Article

Vascular events in healthy older women receiving calcium supplementation: randomised controlled trial
Mark J Bolland, P Alan Barber, Robert N Doughty, Barbara Mason, Anne Horne, Ruth Ames, Gregory D Gamble, Andrew Grey, and Ian R Reid
BMJ 2008 336: 262-266. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Lee, J. H., O'Keefe, J. H., Bell, D., Hensrud, D. D., Holick, M. F. (2008). Vitamin D Deficiency: An Important, Common, and Easily Treatable Cardiovascular Risk Factor?. J Am Coll Cardiol 52: 1949-1956 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Andrews, N. A. (2008). Calcium Supplementation and Vascular Disease: A Legitimate New Worry?. IBMS BoneKEy 5: 124-129 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Calcium ghost:Too difficult to die
Dr.Basavaraj. Shivayogi Hadapad
bmj.com, 24 Jan 2008 [Full text]
Death By Medicine ?
Dr. Herbert H. Nehrlich
bmj.com, 5 Feb 2008 [Full text]
editorial reduces BMJ to tabloid journalism
David Ansell
bmj.com, 13 Feb 2008 [Full text]
Access jobs at BMJ Careers
Whats new online at Student BMJ