Harvard Health Content API

Men — but not women — who take calcium pills may face a higher risk of dying from heart disease, a new study suggests. The study looked at data on 388,000 men and women. They were part of a study on diet and health. They were 50 to 71 years old when the study began in 1995. Researchers kept track of people for an average of 12 years. In that time, about 7,900 men and 4,000 women died of heart disease or stroke. Of this group, 51% of men and 70% of women were taking calcium pills. Researchers calculated that men taking 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily had a 20% increased risk of heart-disease death. There was no increase in risk for women who were taking calcium pills. Calcium obtained from food or drinks did not affect death risk for men or women. The study could not show whether taking calcium pills actually caused the increased risk. Researchers said more study was needed.

Women who have only the lump removed in early-stage breast cancer may have better survival rates than women who get a mastectomy, a study suggests. Researchers looked at records for more than 112,000 women. All of them had early breast cancer, Stage I or II. Most women with early breast cancer can have the lump removed (lumpectomy) instead of the whole breast (mastectomy). In the study, 55% chose lumpectomy, followed by radiation. The others had mastectomies. Researchers kept track of the women for a median of 9 years. Half were followed for a longer time, and half for less time. More than 31,000 women died during follow-up. About 40% of the deaths were from breast cancer. Women who had a lumpectomy and radiation were more likely to survive than those who had mastectomies. The difference was greatest for women over 50 with a type of cancer that grows in response to hormones.

Not nearly enough U.S. adults are getting recommended vaccines, health officials say. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the new estimates. They are based on a national survey taken in 2011. Adult vaccines protect those who get them. They also help to protect people’s close contacts, including children. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against some forms of pneumonia, meningitis and blood infections. It’s recommended for people ages 65 and older. About 62% had received this vaccine, the CDC said. The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Vaccination rates were up in 2011. But still only 13% of adults had ever received this shot. Another type of tetanus shot is also given, but it does not protect against whooping cough. Cases of whooping cough have greatly increased in recent years.

For people with heart disease, having a big waist may be worse than having a high overall weight, a new study suggests. The study put together numbers from 5 earlier studies. Everyone in the studies had coronary artery disease, a narrowing inside the arteries of the heart. The studies included about 15,000 people. Their average age was 66. Researchers measured their body mass index (BMI), a measurement of weight compared with height. They also measured waist-to-hip ratio. This is equal to waist size divided by hip size. Doctors use this measurement to estimate belly fat. Researchers kept track of people for about 5 years. In that time, nearly 4,700 died. People who had a normal BMI but a larger waist were 27% more likely to die than people who were obese but carried less weight in the belly. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology published the study.

A new report in a medical journal looks at some common beliefs about obesity and weight loss, and finds them a little thin on proof. Among the obesity myths is the one about sex burning 100 to 300 calories. Since it lasts about 6 minutes, on average, that total is way too high, the authors say. They also say it’s not true that small changes over time lead to a large weight loss. The body’s energy needs will change, so you’ll lose less than you expect. School gym classes also don’t reduce obesity because they are too short or not intense enough. It’s also a myth that losing weight slowly is better than losing a lot fast, the authors say. Research shows that people who take the slow approach often lose less in the long run. The New England Journal of Medicine published the study. The Associated Press (AP) wrote about it January 31.