Abstract
BackgroundHypertension is a major cardiovascular illness worldwide with many underlying causes. The role of trace elements selenium, copper, and zinc in hypertension is uncertain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of these trace elements in hypertension.MethodData from 6683 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants from 2011 to 2016 were analyzed using Statistical Analytical System (SAS, version 9.4) software for the role of trace elements in hypertension in age range 8 to 80 years, irrespective of the antihypertensive medication taken. Recent American Heart Association guidelines and pediatric practice guidelines for hypertension were used.ResultsFindings showed a significant positive association between serum selenium levels and hypertension but not serum zinc and copper. At optimal levels for transport and distribution, serum selenium levels of 120 μg/L or higher (reference level 70–150 μg/L) were significantly associated with hypertension (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.29–1.66) after adjusting for confounding factors. At serum selenium level greater than 150 μg/L, the association with hypertension strengthened (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.32–2.17).ConclusionA positive association was found between serum selenium and hypertension, irrespective of age or anti-hypertensive medications intake. These findings also suggest that the reference levels of serum levels in healthy individuals may need to be re-determined, if supported by additional studies. If validated, patients with hypertension may also need to be cautioned about selenium intake.
Highlights
Hypertension is a major cardiovascular illness worldwide with many underlying causes
At optimal levels for transport and distribution, serum selenium levels of 120 μg/L or higher were significantly associated with hypertension (OR = 1.46, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.29–1.66) after adjusting for confounding factors
A positive association was found between serum selenium and hypertension, irrespective of age or anti-hypertensive medications intake
Summary
Hypertension is a major cardiovascular illness worldwide with many underlying causes. The role of trace elements selenium, copper, and zinc in hypertension is uncertain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of these trace elements in hypertension. Hypertension is a major cardiovascular illness, affecting more than a billion individuals worldwide and causing millions of deaths each year [1]. Researchers have studied micronutrients such as sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, and calcium and their effects on hypertension, there is not much evidence available on micronutrients such as selenium, copper, and zinc [2, 3]. The roles of the trace elements selenium, copper and zinc on hypertension were analyzed using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants from 2011 to 2016, following. In a recently published NHANES study, the average daily selenium intake in U.S population was more than 100 micrograms [8], suggesting an intake level much higher than required, with some authors implicating high selenium in the soil as a possible reason [7, 8]
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