Levels of some micronutrients in some Nigerian hypertensives

A total of seventy (70) consenting subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects consist of fifty (50) hypertensive subjects yet to receive treatment and twenty (20) normotensive (control) subjects. Subjects' blood pressure values were measured and serum was obtained from the whole blood collected by vene puncture using centrifugation technique. Serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were determined by established procedures using commercial kit reagents. Results show that the mean serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels for hypertensive patients were 1.98 +/- 0.22 mmol/L, 1.65 +/- 0.42 mmol/L and 0.88 +/- 0.20 mmol/L as against 2.11 +/- 0.10 mmol/L, 1.50 +/- 0.12 mmol/L and 0.96 +/- 0.05 mmol/L for normotensive subjects. Fifty-four (54) percent and twelve (12) percent of the hypertensives had reduced calcium and magnesium levels respectively, but none for the normotensive subjects. Fifty-eight (58) percent of the hypertensive patients and forty-five (45) percent of the normotensives had elevated serum phosphorus levels, but no subject was hypophophataemic. Hypertension reduced serum calcium (P < 0.05) and magnesium (P > 0.05) levels among hypertensives in the south-south area of Nigeria. These micronutrients are therefore implicated in the progression of hypertension. These micronutrients are therefore implicated in the progression of hypertension. The effects of antihypertensive drugs and/or micronutrients' supplementation on blood pressure and serum calcium, phosphorous and magnesium levels in our study area should be further investigated. This is important because beneficial adjunct to the available modalities in the treatment of hypertension especially in Nigeria could be identified.