Coronary artery disease is a heart disease that occurs when blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle become narrowed and hardened due to the buildup of cholesterol and plaque in their inner walls. Patients with CAD are at increased risk for heart attacks, angina, heart failure and arrhythmias. Vitamin B-3, also known as niacin, is a B-complex vitamin that works together with other B vitamins to help the body produce energy from foods.
Vitamin B-3 and Coronary Artery Disease
Doctors may prescribe vitamin B-3 to treat CAD, according to Drugs.com. High doses of vitamin B-3 are used to decrease bad cholesterol levels, which cause narrowing and blockage of the coronary artery and other blood vessels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Vitamin B-3 also helps raise good cholesterol. High doses of B-3 can cause upset stomach, headache, blurred vision, dizziness and flushing of the skin. Patients who take high doses of vitamin B-3 are also at increased risk for liver damage.
Sources of Vitamin B-3
Vitamin B-3 is a water soluble B-complex vitamin that should be consumed every day because excess amounts of the vitamin are excreted in urine. The daily recommended dietary intake of vitamin B-3 is 14 milligrams for females and 16 milligrams for males, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Foods that contain high amounts of vitamin B-3 include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, dairy products, enriched breads and cereals.
Vitamin B3 Supplements Administration
Vitamin B-3 supplements are available as tablets and as capsules in both regular and extended-release forms. Regular tablets and capsules are taken two or three times a day with food while extended-release tablets are taken once a day at bedtime. Patients with coronary artery disease require a niacin prescription. Patients should avoid OTC multivitamins while taking niacin prescriptions to avoid niacin toxicity.
Coronary Artery Disease Symptoms
Patients with coronary artery disease experience angina (chest pain) due to a reduced supply of oxygenated blood to the heart, especially during vigorous activities or emotional stress. Angina pain goes away after stopping the vigorous activities. Patients may also experience shortness of breath and increased fatigue. When the coronary artery becomes completely blocked, patients experience a heart attack because no oxygenated blood is able to reach the heart muscle.
