PP.16.13

Abstract

Objective: Recent studies stress the importance of a magnesium deficiency being involved in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension, heart insufficiency or disorders in heart rhythm. The main pathophysiologic action of magnesium is being a calcium antagonist. In newer studies the blood pressure lowering and cardioprotective effect of a magnesium therapy has often been described. This effect is dose dependent and the supplementation time is of importance. Most studies describe a positive effect of about 300 mg magnesium daily, given 2–3 times orally. The MACH study showed a positive effect of magnesium on heart insufficiency concerning life quality and expectancy (p < 0.05). Therefore we studied hypertensives with heart insufficiency under an additional magnesium supplementation. Design and method: 11 hypertensives with heart insufficiency NYHA III-IV were investigated versus controls concerning magnesium status, kidney function, blood pressure and nTproBNP values before and after additional magnesium therapy. Magnesium orotate with organic magnesium of about 300 mg daily, 3 times were substituted orally in patients for 1 week. Results: The results showed in all magnesium treated hypertensive patients a positive effect on blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders and a lowering positive effect on nTproBNP values as a marker for heart insufficiency (p < 0.05). No side effects occur. Conclusions: The data presented here show a positive effect of a magnesium therapy on hypertension and hypertensive heart disease NYHA III-IV. In addition to genuine heart insufficiency therapy magnesium orotate improves nTproBNP values significantly and quality of life in hypertensives. In conclusion an intact magnesium status is of special importance in patients with essential hypertension suffering from hypertensive heart disease.