"Is the Widening of Pulse Pressure and Hypertension in the Elderly Due in Large Measure to an Unrecognized Hypomagnesemia, Downregulation of Telomerase and Progressive Release of Ceramides and Platelet-Activating Factor?"

Burton M Altura

doi:10.26717/bjstr.2020.24.004046

Abstract

It is generally agreed that age-related increases in arterial blood pressure (ABP) are mainly a reflection of an increase in systolic..

Highlights

It is generally agreed that age-related increases in arterial blood pressure (ABP) are mainly a reflection of an increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) while maintaining or exhibiting a slight decrease in a diastolic blood pressure (DBP)
35 years ago, four of us found that under controlled laboratory conditions, using rats subjected to dietary deficiency of magnesium (Mg), that we observed a progressive elevation in ABP with a progressive widening of pulse pressure (PP) [4-6, unpublished findings]
Why there is a widening of PP in the aged has brought forth numerous hypotheses

Summary

Introduction

35 years ago, four of us found that under controlled laboratory conditions, using rats subjected to dietary deficiency of magnesium (Mg), that we observed a progressive elevation in ABP with a progressive widening of PP [4-6, unpublished findings]. Those subjects with either type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, on renal dialysis, or hypertension demonstrated the greatest decline in [Mg2+]0, in serum and red blood cells, with age (e.g., see Table 1).

Results

Conclusion