There is story out today about a recent research study looking into calcium supplements and whether they are good or bad. The results are not focused on people who have multiple myeloma, but I think they are still interesting for people with myeloma.
The results are rather surprising: "Calcium supplements, which many people consume hoping to ward off osteoporosis, may increase the risk of heart attack by as much as 30 percent ... These tiny tablets which carry concentrated doses of calcium were also associated with higher incidences of stroke and death, but they were not statistically significant."
The article reminded me how surprised I was when I first heard that myeloma patients generally should NOT take calcium supplements. I had assumed: Myeloma weakens bones, calcium strengthens bones, so calcium supplements must be good for myeloma patients.
But what I didn't realize was that myeloma, in the process of destroying bone material, releases lots and lots of calcium into the bloodstream, which creates mucho problems for myeloma patients. Taking calcium supplements just makes the problem worse. (I once found this webpage, which describes the problem great.)
In any case, the recent news about calcium supplements suggests -- or, perhaps, reminds us? -- that myeloma patients should also watch their heart health carefully. With all that calcium swimming around in the blood, myeloma patients could face the same extra heart attack risk as people taking calcium supplements.
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