Does water hardness have preventive effect on cardiovascular disease?

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Cardiovascular Epidemiology
• Water Chemistry

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a significant global health burden.
• The role of drinking water composition, specifically mineral content, in CVD etiology requires further investigation.
• Geographical variations in water quality may influence population health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between calcium and magnesium concentrations in drinking water and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
• To compare these associations in urban versus rural settings within Khansar County, Iran.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted in Khansar County, Iran, during 2012.
• Utilized official health center data on drinking water chemical analysis (hardness, calcium, magnesium) for urban and rural areas.
• Collected data on patients hospitalized for CVD in 2010 and 2011.

Main Results:

• Elevated water calcium levels (>72 mg/L in 2010, >75 mg/L in 2011) correlated with reduced CVD incidence.
• Increased water magnesium concentrations (>31 mg/L in 2010, >26 mg/L in 2011) were associated with fewer CVD cases per 1000 population.
• These protective associations were observed across both urban and rural water supplies.

Conclusions:

• Drinking water hardness, particularly magnesium content, appears to exert a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases.
• Water calcium and magnesium may play a role in mitigating CVD risk.
• Further experimental and longitudinal studies are recommended to elucidate mechanisms and clinical implications.