Abstract
Objective: Due to recent publications a magnesium deficiency in elderly is up to 50%, depending on co - morbidity, drugs and nutritional status. On the other hand it is well known that a magnesium insufficiency is a pathogenetic factor in the development of hypertension. In this context calcium magnesium antagonism, sodium magnesium antiport, disturbed vitamin D metabolism or disturbed magnesium channels are of special interest. In this context magnesium metabolism was of interest in elderly hypertensives. Ionized magnesium is the active form and was measured additionally. Design and method: We studied 45 essential hypertensive patients with normal renal function. None of the patients received diuretics or magnesium. No diabetics were included. The age of patients was beyond 65 years, 23 persons were male, 22 female. Measurements of magnesium were performed either in serum (Cobass, Roche, Germany) or ionized in blood (NOVA, Rödermark, Germany). Results: In serum magnesium concentrations only 1 person had values below 1.5 mg/dl, all other elderly hypertensives had a normal serum magnesium concentration. In contrast ionized magnesium concentrations was significantly decreased in 12 of 45 patients, showing values below 0.5 mmo/l (p < 0.0)1, that is about 27%. In addition, no correlation between total serum and ionized blood magnesium exists (ns, Pearson or Spearmann rank test, p value 0.91 and 0.41). Blood pressure was controlled and below 150/90 mmHg. Conclusions: There is no correlation between serum and ionized blood magnesium content. This is of special importance as a normal serum magnesium content doesn‘t exclude a deficiency of ionized magnesium. As ionized magnesium is the vasoactive form of magnesium in the body and acts on vessels, it is mor useful to determine ionized magnesium concentrations in assessing body magnesium stores. In elderly hypertensives under blood pressure control nearly 27% showed an ionized magnesium deficieny despite normal serum magnesium values.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
