- With Mayo Clinic cardiologist
Martha Grogan, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Martha Grogan, M.D.
Martha Grogan, M.D.
Dr. Martha Grogan is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases. She is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and received her medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School. Dr. Grogan has been on staff at Mayo Clinic since 1995 and is a consultant in the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Medical School.
Dr. Grogan is a noninvasive cardiologist specializing in heart failure, adult congenital heart disease and echocardiography. She has witnessed firsthand the importance of patient education in the treatment of diseases such as congestive heart failure and is excited about the tremendous educational opportunities now available through the Internet.
Risk factors (2)
- CRP level: A risk factor for heart disease?
- Calcium supplements: A risk factor for heart attack?
Causes (3)
- Omega-6 fatty acids: Can they cause heart disease?
- Vitamin D deficiency: Can it cause high blood pressure?
- Coronary artery spasm: What is it?
Complications (1)
- Cardiac ischemia
Treatments and drugs (2)
- Coronary artery disease: Angioplasty or bypass surgery?
- Cardiac stents: Can they be replaced if blockage recurs?
Lifestyle and home remedies (2)
- Air pollution and exercise: Is outdoor exercise risky?
- Butter vs. margarine: Which is better for my heart?
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Question
Can vitamins help prevent a heart attack?
Can taking vitamins help prevent heart disease or a heart attack?
Answer
from Martha Grogan, M.D.
Researchers aren't sure whether taking vitamins can reduce your risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack.
Certain vitamins, such as vitamins C and E, may reduce your heart disease risk by preventing low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol from producing plaques that can narrow your heart's arteries. Some research studies on these vitamins have shown that taking vitamins can reduce your heart disease risk, but most haven't shown a difference in heart disease risk between people who take vitamins and those who don't.
Another vitamin that might improve your heart health is Vitamin D. There's some evidence that Vitamin D improves the health of your blood vessels, but nothing conclusive yet. Many people don't get enough vitamin D, so talk to your doctor if you're concerned about your vitamin D level.
No matter what type of vitamins you take, vitamins won't prevent the development of heart disease if you don't control your other risk factors, such as diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Vitamins can be a good option for some people, especially if you're not getting enough nutrition from your diet. However, most generally healthy people don't need to take a daily vitamin because they get all the nutrients they need from their food. If you're concerned about your nutrition and diet, you should talk with your doctor about whether taking a daily vitamin might be a good option for you.
Next questionOlive oil: What are the health benefits?
- Kris-Etherton PM, et al. Antioxidant vitamin supplements and cardiovascular disease. Circulation. 2004;110:637.
- Sesso HD, et al. Vitamins E and C in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in men: The Physicians' Health Study II randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;300:2123.
- Knekt P, et al. Antioxidant vitamins and coronary heart disease risk: a pooled analysis of 9 cohorts. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2004;80:1508.
- Traber MG. Heart disease and single-vitamin supplementation. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;85(suppl):293S.
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- Block G, et al. Vitamin C treatment reduces elevated C-reactive protein. Free Radical Biology & Medicine. 2009;46:70.
- Wang TJ, et al. Vitamin D deficiency and risk of cardiovascular disease. Circulation. 2008;117:503.
