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B vitamins do not lower heart attack risk

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Norwegian researchers have found treating heart attack patients with high doses of B vitamins does not lower the risk of another heart attack or stroke.

The data were presented this week during the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Stockholm, Sweden.

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NORVIT, the Norwegian Vitamin Trial, is the first to examine whether high doses of B vitamins prevent recurrent heart disease.

The lead investigator, Dr. Kaare Harald Bønaa of the University of Tromsø, said the study indicates B vitamins should be prescribed only to patients who have B vitamin deficiency diseases.

He said during the last 15 years interest in vitamin B research has rocketed worldwide after studies indicated folic acid and vitamin B-6 might prevent heart disease and stroke.

Scientists said one patient in every three who suffers a heart attack has a recurrent heart attack or stroke within three years after the first attack. It was hoped B vitamins could lower the risk of recurrence.

The NORVIT trial showed, however, B vitamins offered no protection against cardiovascular disease.

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