Effects of calcium intake on the cardiovascular system in postmenopausal women.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the current literature on the effects of calcium intake in postmenopausal women, focusing on cardiovascular parameters and fracture prevention.
Results Summary
The study found mixed results regarding calcium's effects on cardiovascular health, with some reports of adverse effects like increased myocardial infarction and stroke rates, while others showed no effects or benefits. Calcium supplementation had modest effects on reducing fracture rates.
Population
Postmenopausal women
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
calcium supplements | increase | use for the prevention of complications of osteoporosis | - | - | significantly increased | #1 |
calcium intake | increase | cardiovascular parameters | women with low dietary calcium intake | - | transient beneficial effects | #2 |
calcium supplementation | increase | high-density lipoprotein | postmenopausal women | - | significant increases | #3 |
calcium supplementation | increase | high-density lipoprotein to low-density lipoprotein ratio | postmenopausal women | - | significant increases | #4 |
increased calcium intake | increase | rates of myocardial infarction and stroke | postmenopausal women | - | adverse effects | #5 |
calcium intake | no change | cardiovascular events | postmenopausal women | - | no effects | #6 |
calcium intake | increase | cardiovascular events | postmenopausal women | - | beneficial outcomes | #7 |
calcium supplementation | decrease | fracture rates | postmenopausal women | - | modest effect in reducing | #8 |
The use of calcium supplements for the prevention of complications of osteoporosis has significantly increased during the last years. The effects of calcium intake in postmenopausal women on cardiovascular parameters such as blood pressure, serum lipids and cardiovascular events are controversial. Even though transient beneficial effects of calcium supplementation have been reported, especially in women with low dietary calcium intake, their long-term outcomes are inconclusive. Only a very few studies investigating serum lipids in postmenopausal women have been described and these showed significant increases in high-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein to low-density lipoprotein ratio. With regards to cardiovascular events in this population group adverse effects have been reported on the rates of myocardial infarction and stroke with increased calcium intake by some authors, however, others described no effects or even beneficial outcomes. We present a review of the current literature which provides a balanced summary of the possible beneficial and adverse effects of calcium intake in postmenopausal women on cardiovascular parameters. Taking into account the modest effect of calcium supplementation in reducing fracture rates, a reassessment of the role, benefits and adverse effects of calcium supplements should be conducted in postmenopausal women.