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Association between calcium intake and risk of congestive heart failure: a cross-sectional study from the 2003-2018
Bo Zhu1,2, Li Wan3, Xingyu Chen1
1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, 999078, China.
Insights
Adequate calcium intake may significantly reduce the risk of congestive heart failure (CHF). This study highlights calcium as a protective factor, offering insights for CHF prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major health concern characterized by the heart's inability to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup.
- The role of calcium, essential for bone health and muscle function, in preventing CHF has not been well-established.
- Understanding dietary factors like calcium intake is crucial for developing preventative health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between dietary calcium intake and the risk of developing congestive heart failure (CHF).
- To utilize data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2003-2018 for robust analysis.
- To identify potential protective effects of calcium in the context of cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 3,083 participants from the NHANES dataset (2003-2018).
- Classification of participants into CHF and control groups based on questionnaire data.
- Statistical methods included t-tests, chi-square tests, risk stratification, and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression to identify key predictors and assess model performance via ROC curves.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in race, education, fasting glucose, and calcium intake were observed between CHF and control groups.
- Higher calcium intake was significantly associated with a reduced risk of CHF (p < 0.001).
- Calcium intake was identified as a protective factor (OR < 1) and a key predictor variable by LASSO regression.
Conclusions:
- Dietary calcium intake demonstrates a significant protective effect against the development of congestive heart failure.
- These findings suggest that adequate calcium consumption may be a viable strategy for CHF prevention.
- Further research can explore the mechanisms and optimal levels of calcium for cardiovascular health.
Background:
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a critical condition resulting from impaired blood pumping, leading to fluid accumulation. While calcium plays a vital role in skeletal health and muscle contraction, its potential in preventing CHF remains unclear.
Objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between calcium intake and the risk of CHF using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2003 and 2018.
Methods:
After completing the questionnaire, participants were classified into CHF and control groups, with calcium intake considered as the primary exposure variable, alongside categorical factors such as age and race. Statistical analyses included t-tests and chi-square tests. A subsequent risk stratification analysis assessed the impact of various covariates on CHF. Additionally, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was applied to identify optimal predictor variables, and model performance was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve.
Results:
A total of 3,083 participants were included in the study. Baseline characteristics revealed significant differences in race (p = 0.004), education (p = 0.019), fasting glucose (p = 0.047), and calcium intake (p = 0.020) between the CHF and control groups. In model 3, calcium intake was significantly associated with a reduced risk of CHF (p < 0.001, OR = 6.37 × 10-4, 95% CI = 1.47 × 10-4 - 1.13 × 10-3), acting as a protective factor (OR < 1, 95% CI = 1 × 10-6 - 1 × 10-5). LASSO regression further identified calcium intake as a predictor variable.
Conclusion:
Calcium intake serves as a protective factor against CHF, potentially lowering its risk. These findings provide theoretical support for the prevention and diagnosis of CHF.
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