Calcium doses may raise men’s heart risk

High doses of calcium supplements can raise men’s risk of dying from heart disease by 20%, a new study has warned.

High doses of calcium supplements can raise men’s risk of dying from heart disease by 20%, a new study has warned.

The study, involving 388,000 people, found men taking calcium supplements of more than 1,000mg a day had a greater chance of suffering heart disease and dying from it.

However, those achieving high-calcium diets solely through food or drink were not at extra risk, said researchers from the National Cancer Institute in the US.

It was the way supplements increase the levels of calcium circulating in the blood which appeared to have an adverse effect on the cardiovascular system, the ‘Daily Mail’ reported.

Experts believe higher blood levels lead to hardening of the arteries, which can cause heart attacks.

Women had no such extra risk, although some previous trials have found a link, the study reported in JAMA Internal Medicine said.