The Particulars: Studies suggest that many patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or associated risk factors lead unhealthy lives but take daily vitamins and supplements to reduce their risks of CVD. Small studies have suggested that multivitamin use does not reduce CVD risk, but larger investigations are warranted.
Data Breakdown: In a randomized, double-blind trial of more than 15,000 men aged 50 or older, participants were randomized to a daily multivitamin or placebo to determine the effect of these interventions on CVD prevention. After an average of 11.2 years, major CVD events occurred in 11.0 and 10.8 per 1,000 person-years in the multivitamin and placebo groups, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in several additional CVD endpoints.
Take Home Pearl: Results from a large trial suggest that use of daily multivitamins does not appear to reduce CVD risk in men aged 50 and older.
