Primary CVD prevention with calcium supplements

A marketing category of calcium supplementation in healthy adults for cardiovascular prevention. Meta-analyses 2010–2013 suggested a possible increase in myocardial infarction risk with calcium alone.

1 drug

Also known as: Calcium for heart health

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

FCalcium carbonateNot recommended · Mineral supplements. CalciumCalcium supplementation for primary cardiovascular prevention is not indicated. The 2018 USPSTF concluded that in asymptomatic postmenopausal women, additional calcium and vitamin D supplementation provides no advantage over a balanced diet for fracture and CVD prevention. The 2010–2013 meta-analyses (Bolland et al.) suggested a possible increase in MI risk with isolated calcium, although subsequent larger analyses have not confirmed the effect.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit