Risk Factors

• Hereditary, aging and congenital heart problems can predispose you to heart disease. Other risk factors include smoking, being overweight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, stress and having a sedentary lifestyle. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends controlling these risk factors to prevent heart disease.
  
  

Calcium Benefits

• Calcium is an important nutrient responsible for maintaining strong bones and teeth. It is also essential for normal muscle and nerve functions and for blood clotting.
  
  

Calcium and Heart Disease

• Dietary calcium can reduce total cholesterol and bad (LDL) cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. It follows that calcium deficiency correlates with higher levels of cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart disease.
  
  

Calcium and High Blood Pressure

• High blood pressure can contribute to heart disease and high calcium intake can lower blood pressure, according to a report in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
  
  

Calcium Sources

• Foods such as yogurt, cheese, tofu, salmon, kale, spinach, broccoli, red kidney beans, almonds and sesame seeds are rich in calcium. Calcium fortified foods such as cereal, milk and juices and calcium supplements are good calcium alternatives.