The Truth About Calcium Supplements and Your Heart

Calcium is one of the most commonly supplemented minerals, and yet, there’s been some debate about whether taking calcium supplements could be doing more harm than good—especially when it comes to heart health.  

This article is based on a Dishing Up Nutrition podcast episode about the connection between calcium and heart health titled "Are Calcium Supplements A Heart Risk?" If you prefer to listen or watch...both the podcast audio and video are available at the end of this article. 

The Role of Calcium in the Body 

First, it’s important to understand that calcium plays a vital role in many bodily functions. While most people associate calcium with strong bones, it’s also crucial for muscle contractions, nerve signaling, blood clotting, and even the release of hormones like insulin. Calcium is also involved in relaxing blood vessels, which plays a role in blood pressure regulation. So, it’s doing a lot more than just keeping our bones strong. 

Additionally, 99% of the calcium in our bodies is stored in our skeleton. Beyond bone maintenance, it plays a critical role in hormonal secretion and the healthy functioning of our muscles, nerves, and heart. 

Calcium and Heart Health: What Does the Research Say? 

Over the past couple of decades, there has been some concern that calcium supplements—especially in high doses—could be linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Some studies suggest that large doses of calcium supplements may contribute to calcification of arteries, which is a risk factor for heart disease. However, the data isn’t entirely consistent.