Antioxidants do not prevent heart disease in high-risk individuals
Johnson, K.H.
Journal of Family Practice 51(10): 810
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0094-3509 PMID: 12401142 Document Number: 549856
A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial was conducted to determine the protective effects of vitamin antioxidants against heart diseases. The participants included 20 536 adults age 40 to 80 years with diabetes, peripheral artery disease or coronary artery disease. The primary outcomes measured were major coronary events and fatal coronary heart diseases. Patients taking vitamins had significantly higher levels of antioxidant vitamins in their blood. However, there was no difference in all-cause mortality or deaths due to vascular or non-vascular causes. There were no differences in non-fatal myocardial infatuation, coronary death, non-fatal or fatal stroke, or coronary or non-coronary revascularization. There were also no differences observed in cancer incidence or hospitalization for any other non-vascular cause. Results suggest that antioxidants, specifically vitamins E and C and beta -carotene, should not be recommended for secondary prevention of heart disease in high-risk patients.