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We all know that calcium is one of the most integral components of our body and is an essential nutrient for physical growth. Most people believe that the role of calcium in the human body is limited to the formation of bones. Our muscles, too, need a good amount of calcium for mobility and strength. Besides, our nerve cells or neurons require calcium for proper functioning and transmitting messages from our brains to every body organ. Most importantly, calcium plays an integral role in our circulatory system, empowering the blood vessels to flow blood throughout the body and release and carry hormones that support various body functions.
But here is the catch!
Did you know that excessive calcium in the blood can hamper the proper functioning of various organs? This abnormal condition is known as Hypercalcemia. If you are unaware of this fact, this article will help you understand how high calcium affects the heart. Continue reading!
What is Hypercalcemia?
Hypercalcemia is when an excess amount of calcium is present in the blood. This condition can affect the heart's electrical activity, i.e. the electrical impulses that run through the heart's conduction system and cause the heartbeat.
The critical factor causing hypercalcemia is hyperparathyroidism. This is a kind of thyroid malfunction wherein the parathyroid glands become overactive and release excess parathyroid hormone.
How does High Calcium affect the Heart?
The effects of high calcium levels do not always impact the heart functioning. However, in rare cases, high calcium levels in the blood or hypercalcemia may cause serious heart ailments. These may include:
- Arrhythmias: Hypercalcemia may cause arrhythmias. These conditions of irregular heartbeats can cause your heartbeat to be too fast or too slow. This can cause bradycardia (low heartbeat, i.e. < 60bpm), heart block, and ventricular arrhythmias. Often, arrhythmias can prove to be life-threatening.
- Heart Rhythm Disorder: Hypercalcemia can cause the heart to beat out of rhythm. In this situation, you may feel like your heart is pounding, fluttering, or beating too fast, causing you to faint or feel dizzy. Such disturbances in heart rhythm may result in fatal circumstances.
- Heart Failure: In extreme conditions, Hypercalcemia may result in acute heart failure due to impairment of cardiac relaxation function. The irregular heartbeat causes myocardial necrosis, i.e. cardiac muscle cell death due to oxygen imbalance.
- Coronary Artery Disease: Chronic hypercalcemia can result in high calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This narrows down the lumen and thus triggers the clogging of coronary arteries. When calcium deposits build up in the arteries, they clog and stiffen them, and result in Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This disturbs the functioning of the heart valves and causes heart attacks.
Reasons for High Calcium Levels in the Heart?
Listed below are several factors responsible for developing hypercalcemia:
- Hyperparathyroidism: As we have already discussed, hyperparathyroidism is a factor behind hypercalcemia. When the parathyroid glands release excess parathyroid hormone, excess calcium is produced in the blood.
- Certain Medications: Some prescribed medications may also trigger high calcium levels in the heart. To name some, we have lithium or thiazide diuretics that are known to cause hypercalcemia if taken in high amounts.
- Dehydration: When dehydrated, the electrolytes in your blood become unbalanced. The immediate effect is that higher calcium levels build up in your blood.
- Blood Cancer: Certain cancers, especially leukaemia, can cause hypercalcemia.
- Sarcoidosis: This is a type of lung disease that can alter the way your body processes calcium. This leads to higher calcium levels in the blood and urine.
- Renal Failure: Kidney failure can also cause hypercalcemia, as an imbalance in kidney functioning causes excess calcium levels in the blood and urine.
- Health Supplements: An overdose of calcium-based supplements and nutraceuticals may result in excess calcium entering the bloodstream instead of bones. This may also lead to osteoporosis, decreased bone density, and weakening bone.
- Lack of Vitamin D: Your body requires vitamin D to digest the calcium in your daily diet. A deficiency of this vitamin results in unsynthesised calcium entering your bloodstream and urine. This can cause a deficiency disease called rickets, i.e. breaking of bones.
The Accurate Dose!
How much calcium per day is needed for a healthy body?
According to the World Health Organization, 400 to 500 mg of calcium daily is needed to prevent osteoporosis. In the Indian context, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommends the ideal limit for daily calcium intake for Indians-
- Children aged 1 to 9: 600 mg
- Children aged ten and older: 800 mg
- Adolescents aged 10 to 17: 800 mg
- Pregnant and lactating mothers: 1200 mg
Let us now understand a few practical ways to tackle the problem of hypercalcemia.
>> Also Read: What is the Role of Calcium in Our Body?
How to Control High Calcium Levels in the Heart?
Specific changes in lifestyle, especially in your diet can help you maintain the optimal calcium level in the heart. These include:
- Drinking Enough Water: An optimal water intake helps make electrolytes in your blood that effectively balance the calcium levels in the blood.
- Avoid Self-medication: Never take any medicines or nutraceuticals without a doctor's prescription or observation, as this may result in hypercalcemia.
- Take Enough Vitamin D: You must take the required amount to assimilate the calcium in your body through your food. Additionally, you can expose yourself to sunlight during the early hours or can take health supplements as per your nutritionist’s or doctor’s advice.
No Smoking, Please! Smoking may result in certain lung diseases, such as Sarcoidosis, that cause hypercalcemia. Moreover, tobacco intake can cause blood cancer, which is another factor behind hypercalcemia.
These are a few ways to prevent high calcium levels in the heart. Both calcium deficiency or excessive calcium level can lead to serious health complications. And despite every precaution taken, you can’t avoid a medical emergency to happen; you can only be prepared for it with a health insurance plan catering to heart-related illnesses.
Protect your Savings from Medical Emergency with Health Insurance
Besides safeguarding your health against lifestyle diseases, you must plan your finances smartly to protect your savings from going into hospital bills. You can consider our heart mediclaim that offers comprehensive coverage up to 2 crore, covering 16 common heart conditions. For detailed information you can connect with our experts or visit the website.
Disclaimer: Plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.
