Vitamin E Won’t Prevent Heart Problems

Q. My husband had bypass surgery five years ago, and last year he had two stents put in. The heart doctor asked if he were taking vitamin E. We said he’d taken it for years, and the doctor said to stop it immediately. He claims studies show it is bad for the heart. Is this true?
A. We don’t know of any evidence that vitamin E is bad for the heart, but most research suggests it is not helpful, either. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (July 26, 2004) analyzed data from seven studies involving more than 100,000 people. The scientists conclude that vitamin E neither benefits nor harms the heart.