Excessive calcium consumption as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body that participates in the construction of bones and teeth, nerve impulse transmission, intracellular signaling, hormone secretion, muscle contraction, coagulation, ensuring normal heart rhythm and physiological values of blood pressure. Excessive calcium concentration, predominantly caused by improper use of supplements, predisposes to the development of cardiovascular disease. High serum calcium induces reprogramming and differentiation of smooth muscle cells into an osteoblast-like phenotype, translocation of prohypertrophic cardiomyocyte transcription factors, compromise of diastolic relaxation of the myocardium and necrosis of its contractile girdle, stimulation of coagulation reactions, stimulation of platelet aggregation, hemodynamic changes and metabolic abnormalities. Acute intoxication with calcium supplements results in an increase in blood pressure. Chronic consumption of excessive calcium concentration predisposes to atherosclerosis and calcification of blood vessels, heart attack and stroke, hypertrophy and heart failure, and heart rhythm disorders. There is a need to strengthen the response and role of the health system in informing the public about the side effects of excessive calcium consumption, limiting the widespread prescribing of supplements, as well as a possible comprehensive reassessment of the same.