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Magnesium and hypertension
Insights
Essential hypertension (EHT) management can be improved with magnesium (Mg). Supplementing with Mg, especially with potassium (K), may help control blood pressure (BP) and reduce cardiovascular risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Clinical Nutrition
- Public Health
Background:
- Essential hypertension (EHT) is a major risk factor for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Current drug treatments for EHT carry risks of side effects, some impacting the cardiovascular system.
- Non-drug interventions, including electrolyte intake modification, are gaining attention for EHT management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence supporting magnesium (Mg) as an adjunct therapy for essential hypertension.
- To explore the role of electrolytes, including sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and Mg, in blood pressure (BP) regulation.
- To provide background data for incorporating Mg into anti-hypertensive regimens.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiologic and experimental studies on electrolyte intake and BP.
- Analysis of existing data on the effects of Mg on EHT.
- Examination of potential synergistic effects of Mg with other electrolytes, particularly K.
Main Results:
- Decreasing Na intake is a recognized strategy for BP control.
- Increasing K and/or Mg intake, and modifying Ca intake, have been proposed to benefit BP.
- Evidence suggests Mg can favorably impact EHT, especially when combined with K during diuretic therapy.
Conclusions:
- Magnesium supplementation shows promise as part of an anti-hypertensive strategy.
- Combined therapy with Mg and K may be particularly beneficial for patients on diuretics.
- Further research into non-drug therapies like electrolyte management is crucial for CVD prevention.
Abstract:
Essential hypertension (EHT) is one of the most common risk factors for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which in turn are among the most common causes of death and disability in developed countries. Drug treatment of EHT has proven effective in lessening the risk of CVD, but has attendant risk of side effects, some of which are of risk to the CV system. Thus, increasing attention is being paid to non-drug treatment of EHT, which includes changing the daily intake of such electrolytes as sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). Decreasing Na intake to control blood pressure (BP) is well established. On the basis of epidemiologic and experimental studies, increasing K and/or Mg intakes, and increasing of decreasing Ca intakes, have each been proposed to have beneficial effects of BP. Presented here is a review of the background data supporting the rationale for adding Mg to the anti-hypertensive regimen. There is evidence that Mg can exert a favorable effect in EHT, particularly when used in combination with K during diuretic therapy.