Issue No. 404: Is vascular hardening the same as calcification?

Is vascular hardening the same as calcification? Is it related to calcium supplementation?

The idea that “taking calcium supplements will accelerate vascular hardening” is incorrect. Vascular hardening refers to the progressive course of arterial sclerosis, in which the narrowing of blood vessels becomes increasingly severe. It is an important risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

The development of vascular hardening is related to the following factors:

1. The accumulation of lipids on the vessel walls.

2. Damage to the vessel walls caused by multiple contributing factors. Long-term high blood pressure places excessive pressure on the vessel walls, while high blood sugar triggers inflammatory reactions in the vessel walls, leading to damage of the vascular endothelium. As a result, excess lipids in the blood are more likely to deposit, eventually accumulating inside the vessel walls to form a yellowish, porridge-like lipid core. This core is prone to being covered by a fibrin-containing “fibrous cap,” which is the main physiological process behind plaque formation and arterial hardening.

In addition, for patients with high blood pressure, if there is a calcium deficiency in the body, appropriate and effective calcium supplementation will not have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. On the contrary, it may help with blood pressure control and regulation. Arterial hardening is not directly related to calcium supplementation. Whether calcium supplementation is necessary should be evaluated by a medical professional.

Source:

Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare

https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/Detail.aspx?nodeid=127&pid=12790