24/05/2012

Calcium Supplement Raises Risk Of Heart Attack In Women

A new research study has shown that thousands Of Irish women taking calcium tablets to slow osteoporosis are doubling their risk of having a heart attack.

The research, published this morning in the online issue of the journal Heart, states that the supplements are neither safe nor effective and so should be “taken with caution”.

A large-scale study of 24,000 participants in Germany showed that the bone-related protective effect was modest, only about 10 per cent, yet the health risk showed itself to be enormous.

Women taking a combination of vitamins and mineral supplements including calcium were 86 per cent more likely to have a heart attack than women not using any supplements.

The situation was worse for women taking calcium supplements alone, who were more than twice as likely to have a heart attack, the study found.

(H)


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

05 March 2014
Irish Heart Foundation Issues Wake-Up Call To 'Social Smokers'
On Ash Wednesday, Ireland's National No Smoking Day, 5th March, the Irish Heart Foundation has issued a wake-up call to 'social smokers' that they can triple their risk of heart disease if they continue smoking.
22 August 2012
Dermot Morgan's Sons Launch New Health Campaign
The Irish Heart Foundation’s new ‘September Heart Month’ campaign was officially launched today, backed by Don And Ron and Ben Morgan, the sons of Father Ted star Dermot Morgan. Mr Morgan was just 45 when he passed away 14 years ago after suffering a heart attack.
03 March 2015
Children's Heart Surgery To Move To Dublin
Northern Ireland's Health Minister Jim Wells has confirmed he has formally accepted proposals for a single, all-Ireland children's heart surgery centre to be based in Dublin. The decision by Minister Wells means the current service at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) is to stop.
19 May 2015
Farmers More Likely To Die From Heart Disease, Study Reveals
Farmers are more likely to die from heart disease and strokes compared to any other occupations, a new study has revealed. 80% of farmers have four or more risk factors for heart disease and stroke, the leading cause of death in Ireland, according to the Irish Heart Foundation.
07 April 2016
STEMI Heart Attack Patients In Donegal To Receive Access To Services In L'Derry
Patients in Donegal suffering from a STEMI heart attack will now have direct access to services at the Altengelvin Hospital in Co L'Derry. The move is part of a new cross-border cardiology service. Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said: "Up to 60 patients suffering from a STEMI heart attack will be treated in Altnagelvin every year.