When you think about the causes of heart disease, you likely envision unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking, a lack of physical activity and an unhealthy diet with too many fatty foods. However, many women don't factor in the relationship a high calcium intake can have with heart disease. Although calcium is an important nutrient, one of the most abundant in your body, too much of a good thing can cause other health complications.
Calcium Intake
As a woman, you've probably heard the importance of getting enough calcium each day to prevent osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is more common among women than men. For this reason, you may think you need a calcium supplement. Women should aim to consume about 1,000 mg of calcium each day, but this number can vary depending on health conditions like pregnancy. To avoid osteoporosis, your calcium intake, specifically before the age of 30, is most important. Consuming more calcium at a younger age can help you prevent osteoporosis as you grow older. Foods rich in calcium include dairy products, spinach, orange juice, sardines and tofu.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the formation of calcium deposits within your arteries. It most commonly occurs when you have a buildup of other materials or plaque. The calcium that doesn't go to your bones latches on to fatty tissues throughout your body. Calcium can become part of the plaque buildup that's already there, making it difficult for your blood to pass through your arteries. Risk factors associated with atherosclerosis include diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, heavy alcohol consumption and increasing age.
Linking Calcium and Heart Disease
Calcium and atherosclerosis directly correlate to heart disease due to the specific medical complications that can arise when the condition is present. If some of the plaque and calcium found on the artery lining breaks off and travels from your larger arteries, where blood flows more freely, to your small arteries, you could experience serious medical conditions, such as heart attack or death.
Safety and Recommendations
If you are concerned about your risk for osteoporosis or other low calcium-related conditions, consider other preventative measures besides supplementation. Try incorporating weight-bearing exercise into your routine, and try to get enough vitamin D and calcium from your diet. Before you begin a new supplementation routine, talk to your doctor about all possible alternatives. If you have a history of heart disease in your family, make your doctor aware and express your concerns about calcium and heart disease.
