Response to 'calcium, phosphate and the risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in a population with stable coronary heart disease'

The findings of Grandi et al1 provide valuable evidence that calcium is associated with all-cause mortality in patients with coronary heart disease. Historically, the role of calcium in healthy ageing has been equivocal. For example, Mursu et al2 found an inverse relationship with calcium and mortality. In response to this finding, it was speculated that calcium's beneficial effect may stem from a reduced ability to synthesise calciol from 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin as we age.