Calcium supplements' small benefits to bone strength must be weighed against the cardiovascular risks.

There is evidence that supplemental calcium may hasten vascular calcification and can raise the risk of heart attacks in otherwise healthy older women. An analysis of 15 double-blind, randomized trials with more than 8000 participants taking at least 500 mg of calcium supplements each day or a placebo, has shown significantly higher rates of heart attack in those taking calcium supplements. The data suggests that treating 1000 people with calcium supplements for 5 years would only prevent 26 fractures but would cause 14 additional heart attacks.

PositiveTip: Taking calcium supplements? You should talk to your physician about the small bone benefits against the cardiovascular risks.

A slow walking pace might triple your risk of cardiovascular death.

The speed at which you walk may dramatically influence your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease according to a 5 year French study of well-functioning men and women over 65 years of age. Those in the lowest third of walking speed had a threefold (2.92 odds ratio) increased risk of cardiovascular death compared to the highest third of walking speed. Interestingly, walking speed made no difference in cancer mortality risk. These differences held true after controlling for potentially confounding factors, although reasons for these observations are not understood fully.