Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
05:57
The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension
Published on: May 17, 2024
Serum selenium concentrations and hypertension in the US Population
Martin Laclaustra1, Ana Navas-Acien, Saverio Stranges
1Department of Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Population Genetics, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain.
Circulation. Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes
|December 25, 2009
Summary
High selenium levels in US adults were linked to increased blood pressure and a higher risk of hypertension. Further research is needed to understand the implications of elevated selenium status.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Cardiovascular Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Selenium is an antioxidant micronutrient with potential cardiovascular benefits.
- Limited and inconsistent research exists on the association between selenium and hypertension.
- This study investigates serum selenium concentrations and their relationship with blood pressure and hypertension in a US population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between serum selenium concentrations and blood pressure.
- To examine the relationship between serum selenium levels and the prevalence of hypertension.
- To assess these relationships in a representative sample of US adults.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 2638 adults aged 40+ from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
- Serum selenium measured using inductively coupled plasma-dynamic reaction cell-mass spectrometry.
- Hypertension defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg or current antihypertensive medication use.
Main Results:
- Mean serum selenium was 137.1 microg/L.
- Higher serum selenium (highest vs. lowest quintile) was associated with increased systolic (4.3 mm Hg) and pulse pressure (2.8 mm Hg).
- The odds ratio for hypertension was 1.73 in the highest selenium quintile; prevalence increased with selenium concentrations up to 160 microg/L.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum selenium concentrations are associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension.
- These findings suggest a potential risk associated with high selenium status in the US.
- Further evaluation of the risks and benefits of high selenium status is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
01:28Hypertension I: Introduction
Hypertension is a widespread, long-term medical condition where blood pressure in the arteries remains elevated. It is characterized by systolic blood pressure readings of 130 mm Hg or above or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings of 80 mm Hg or higher. Unmanaged hypertension poses significant health risks, making the distinction between primary (or essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension crucial, as their management and implications vary.Primary HypertensionPrimary hypertension,...
01:18Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
01:30Alterations in Blood Pressure
Alterations in blood pressure, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypotension (low blood pressure), significantly affect human health. Understanding these conditions' classifications, causes, and symptoms is essential for effective management and treatment.
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart beats)...
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart beats)...
01:29Hypertension II: Pathophysiology
Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
01:24Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
Renal function tests are crucial for assessing kidney health, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating the kidneys' efficiency in waste elimination, fluid balance, and electrolyte regulation. These tests offer critical insights into kidney function, even though routine measurements may appear normal until there is a significant decline in the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. Typically, signs of kidney impairment only become evident when the GFR falls to about 50% of its normal level.