Q. I have taken calcium supplements for years. My doctor says they may not be good for my heart and wants me to start taking a special drug to prevent osteoporosis. What’s wrong with calcium supplements?
A
There is nothing particularly wrong with calcium supplements taken at reasonable doses. At higher doses, some of the calcium may be deposited in the blood vessels, increasing the risk of vascular stiffening and atherosclerosis. This has been an issue of contention for a couple of decades, with some studies finding that calcium supplements (with or without vitamin D) increased the risk of heart attack and stroke, and others finding no such risks.
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