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Francesco Lo Monaco: The Supplement You Take for Your Heart Could Be the One Increasing Your Risk of a Heart Attack

Francesco Lo Monaco/LinkedIn

Nov 9, 2025, 11:37

Francesco Lo Monaco: The Supplement You Take for Your Heart Could Be the One Increasing Your Risk of a Heart Attack

Francesco Lo Monaco, Cardiologist and Founder of The National Heart Clinic, posted on LinkedIn:

“The supplement you take for your heart could be the one increasing your risk of a heart attack.

People trying to do the right thing for their health… taking supplements they believe are protective…
and unintentionally increasing their cardiovascular risk instead.

Here’s what many don’t know:

Calcium on its own.
High-dose calcium without vitamin D can do the opposite of what you expect, instead of strengthening your bones, it may harden your arteries.
Studies show up to a 30% higher risk of heart attack with calcium alone.
When vitamin D is added, that risk disappears.
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Once seen as “heart-protective”, niacin in high doses can trigger inflammation inside blood vessels, doubling heart attack and stroke risk.
Ironically, it cancels out the very benefit it’s meant to give.
Fish Oil
If you already have heart disease, fish oil might help.
But if your heart is healthy, regular excessive use can increase the risk of irregular heartbeats.
Red Yeast Rice and ‘Natural’ Heart Supplements.
Many of these contain the same active compounds as prescription statins, without proper monitoring.
That means possible muscle damage, toxicity, or dangerous interactions if you’re already on medication.

My advice:
Supplements are good but they can have real effects, and sometimes, real risks.

Before starting anything, ask yourself:
→ Do I actually need this?
→ Is it based on my blood work and clinical context?
→ Am I combining it safely with other treatments?

Because prevention is powerful, but only when it’s personalised and guided by data.
If you’re investing in your health and longevity, make sure your supplements are helping, not silently harming.”

Francesco Lo Monaco: The Supplement You Take for Your Heart Could Be the One Increasing Your Risk of a Heart Attack