ELECTROLYTES AND VITAMINS IN HYPERTENSION. UPDATE 2023

Abstract

Objective: Essential hypertension is the most common internal disease in Germany. This disease can result in a variety of cardiovascular diseases like myocardial infarction, heart insufficiency, or stroke. In this context, electrolytes and vitamins are of growing interest. Especially an existing deficiency in electrolytes or vitamins has to be avoided. Due to malnutrition or medical treatment, a loss in electrolytes and vitamins can occur. Therefore the elderly hypertensive is at a special risk. Design and method: 45 elderly (beyond 65 years) hypertensives (23 male, 22 female) patients were studied. None of the patients was renal insufficient, diabetic or under diuretics or supplemented with biofactors for at least 6 weeks before study. Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium in serum, in addition ionized magnesium in blood) and vitamin D and interleukin 6 were measured. Ionized magnesium was measured by a NOVA Prime plus apparatus, NOVA BIOMEDICAL, Andover, USA. Data are means +/- SD. ANOVA was used for statisdtical analysis. Results: Sodium, potassium and calcium values were measured normal in each patient. Serum creatinine was below 1.2 mg/dl in all patients. In seerum magnesium concentrations, only 1 subject had values below 1,5 mg/dl, all other elderly hypertensives had a normal serum magnesium concentration. In contrast, ionized magnesium concentrations were significantly decreased in 15 of 45 patients, showing values below 0.5 mmol/l (py< 0.01), that is 30%. Vitamin D levels were also significantly decreased, 17.6 +/- 6.1 ng/ml as compared to the normal values (> 20 ng/ml)(p< 0.01). Interleukin 6 levels were significantly increased (5.52 +/- 3.38 pg/ml)(normal range below 2 pg/ml)(p< 0.01). Conclusions: In elderly hypertensives electrolyte disorder has to be corrected. A magnesium deficiency is observed in elderly hypertensives in about 30%, due to recent literature. In our study we can confirm these findings concerning ionized magnesium, too. Interleukin 6 levels were found significantly increased, depending on a sufficient magnesium content. Vitamins A, C, E and K can reduce oxidative stress, B vitamins are protective for vessels and neurons. Vitamin D (in our study reduced)(in combination with magnesium) can reduce blood pressure, too.