Plasma magnesium status and pulse pressure in essential hypertension

The influence of a magnesium deficiency in the development of primary hypertension has often been described. However, several investigations were performed in human blood cells or smooth muscle cells in hypertension. Possibly a disturbed calcium/magnesium antagonism, reduced ATPase activities or disturbed magnesium channels are responsible for this magnesium deficiency. The height of pulse pressure (difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure values) is known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In this context, it was of interest to study plasma magnesium concentrations in essential hypertensives with pulse pressure > 60 mmHg and < 50 mmHg (ten patients in each group). Our results show that in the group with a high pulse pressure plasma magnesium concentrations were measured 0.72 +/- 0.1 mmol/l versus 0.88 +/- 0.07 mmol/l in essential hypertensives with a pulse pressure < 50 mmHg (p < 0.05, r -0,73). In conclusion the presented data shows that in patients with elevated pulse pressure values a magnesium deficiency may occur. The magnesium deficiency significantly correlates with the height of pulse pressure. The results are similar to previous investigations in essential hypertensives. As a benefit of magnesium supplementation has been well documented in the treatment of primary hypertension, further studies are necessary to demonstrate a positive effect of a magnesium therapy in reducing pulse pressure values.