4 Supplements That Can Raise Your Heart Attack Risk, Experts Say
Don't put your heart at risk.
Recently, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) announced that it does not recommend taking vitamins and supplements to prevent heart disease and cancer. Additionally, a recent study has revealed that one of the most commonly used supplements may be harmful to a certain group of people who are prescribed it. Read on to see if you may be in danger from this and three other supplements.
The supplement—Omega-3 fatty acids—is the third most popular in America, according to one recent ConsumerLab survey, with 52% of respondents saying they have taken it in the past year (it was beaten only by magnesium and Vitamin D).
Health professionals often recommend omega-3 fatty acids, and for good reason: they can lower your blood pressure, inhibit plaque growth in your arteries, and reduce the likelihood of a stroke or heart attack.
However, for a specific subset of people, Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation may do more harm than good. "Our study suggests that O3FA supplementation is associated with an increased risk of AF in patients with elevated plasma triglyceride and at elevated CV risk," wrote the study authors.
By AF scientists mean atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular or rapid heart rate that happens when electric signals overload your two upper chambers. "This proposes that the risk of AF should be considered when prescribing O3FA supplementation in this population," said the researchers. If you have elevated plasma triglycerides, discuss this supplement with your doctor. And keep reading for three more supplements to use with caution.
As mentioned, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) said they won't recommend that taking vitamins and supplements can prevent heart disease and cancer and will warn that taking one supplement can actually raise cancer and heart disease risk, according to a statement posted on its website.
"The evidence shows there is no benefit to taking vitamin E and that beta-carotene can be harmful because it increases the risk of lung cancer in people already at risk, such as those who smoke, and also increases the risk of dying from heart disease or stroke," said John Wong, MD, of Tufts Medical Center, in a statement.
Calcium helps keep your bones strong and your heart pumping. But to be absorbed properly, calcium must be accompanied by the right amount of Vitamin D. And if it's not? The extra calcium may settle in your arteries instead of helping your bones.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association analyzed 2,700 people who took calcium supplements over ten years and concluded that excess calcium caused buildup in the aorta and other arteries. Calcium is essential, but it's healthier to get it directly from your diet.
Red yeast rice claims to help lower LDL cholesterol levels (the "bad" cholesterol) and prevent heart disease, similar to statins. However, these supplements are associated with a host of potential side effects. "Like statins, red yeast rice can cause exactly the same side effects as statins, and that includes muscle, liver, and kidney problems," says Dr. Marvin M. Lipman, M.D., FACP, FACE from Scarsdale Medical Group. A study published in Pharmacy and Therapeutics analyzed the benefits and risks of red yeast rice.
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It concluded the supplement is "not recommended for patients with hypercholesterolemia" and "has not been shown to be a safe alternative to statins for patients with hyperlipidemia." If you're concerned about your cholesterol, eat healthy, exercise, and consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
