Multivitamins are commonly used because they are believed to help to improve health, but only a few studies have investigated the potential role they may play in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated whether multivitamins were linked to incidence of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death.
18,530 men aged 40+ were followed who were initially enrolled from the Physicians’ Health Study I cohort which provided a range of lifestyle and clinical factors such as intake of selected foods and dietary supplements. There were 1,696 recorded incidents of major cardiovascular disease during a mean follow up of 12.2 years.
No association was found between multivitamin use and the risk of major cardiovascular disease events such as stroke, heart attack, or cardiovascular related death. Multivitamin use was found to be significantly associated with a 14% lower risk of cardiac revascularization; and those who used multivitamins for at least 20 years had a lower risk of major cardiovascular disease events.
Based on these findings taking a multivitamin for at least 20 years may help to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular disease related death.
