Can multivitamins and minerals reduce the risk of death in patients with coronary heart disease?

This study investigated if the use of multivitamin and mineral (MVM) reduces the risk of heart attack in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). They found that MVM use reduced the risk of death in patients with CHD not taking statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs).

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a condition that can lead to serious events such as heart attack, stroke or death. It can be treated using several strategies. Lifestyle changes are very important. Patients should stop smoking, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Medication can also be prescribed. Statins are common medications used for this. Statins reduce the build-up of cholesterol, a fatty substance that causes CHD.

A recent clinical trial showed that taking high-dose multivitamins and minerals (MVM) might reduce the risk of CHD events. In this trial, patients that did not take statins had the greatest benefit from MVM.

This study included 460 patients with CHD aged over 50. These patients were not taking statins. 224 patients were taking MVM and 236 patients were taking placebo (inactive tablets). The study lasted 55 months on average for each patient. The number of CHD events were recorded. These included heart attack, stroke, and death. 

There was a 38% lower risk of CHD events in patients taking MVM, compared to the placebo group. Patients taking MVM had a 53% reduced risk of death of all causes. MVM patients also had a 54% reduced risk of death related to CHD events (e.g. stroke, heart attack).

The authors concluded that MVM use reduced the risk of death in patients with CHD not taking statins.

This was a relatively small study. Another larger study testing MVM is needed to see if there are any real benefits. The dose of MVM was high and the safety of this needs further investigation.

If you have any concerns regarding coronary heart disease treatment please discuss with your physician.