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Magnesium metabolism in essential hypertension
R B Singh1, S S Rastogi, P J Mehta
1Medical Hospital and Research Centre, Moradabad, India.
Acta Cardiologica
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Magnesium plays a role in regulating blood pressure and may help manage hypertension, especially when caused by diuretic use. Adequate magnesium intake through diet or supplements is advised for specific hypertensive patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Nephrology
Background:
- Hypertension is a complex condition with an unclear etiology, potentially influenced by nutrient interactions.
- Magnesium's role in blood pressure regulation is debated, with conflicting study results.
- Magnesium ions are crucial for arterial smooth muscle contraction and cell membrane permeability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted role of magnesium in the etiopathogenesis and management of hypertension.
- To evaluate the impact of magnesium deficiency and supplementation on blood pressure control.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical, experimental, and epidemiological studies on magnesium and hypertension.
- Analysis of magnesium's physiological functions in vascular smooth muscle and cell membranes.
- Assessment of magnesium therapy outcomes in hypertensive patients, particularly those on diuretics.
Main Results:
- Magnesium deficiency can increase arterial contractility; excess can modulate smooth muscle responses.
- Magnesium therapy may prevent resistant hypertension and arrhythmias in diuretic-induced hypomagnesemia.
- Adequate magnesium supplementation might reduce blood pressure by up to 10/5 mm Hg.
Conclusions:
- Magnesium supplementation is recommended for hypertensives with diuretic-induced hypomagnesemia or deficiency.
- A magnesium-rich diet may aid in hypertension prevention within susceptible populations.
- Further research is needed to fully define magnesium's role in hypertension management.
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