K. Kisters1,2, L. Kisters3, A. Kraus3, O. Micke3, F. Tokmak1,3, M. Hausberg2,3,4
1Opreasan Dialysis Centre, Herne,2 Med. Univ. Policlinic, Münster, 3Society for Magnesium Research, Tutzing, 4Nephrology, Städ. Clinic, Karlsruhe, Germany
Background and Objective: Alterations in the metabolism of calcium and magnesium are involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension and arteriosclerosis, often observed in elderly.
Early onset of an increased calcium magnesium ratio, worsening with increasing age is a well-known parameter in disease. As serum magnesium constituies only 1% of total body magnesium stores, we present a new method: the ionized magnesium and calcium in blood, being more sensitive.
Methods: We performed a study in 18 elderly hypertensives concerning ionized magnesium and calcium and the ratio of both in blood, measured by a Prime Plus apparatus (Nova Medical Andover/Frankfurt, USA/Germany).
Results: In 18 elderly hypertensive patients with normal renal function ionized magnesium was measured 0.55+/- 0.04 mmol/L (normal range: 0.54-0.8 mmol/L).
The ionized calcium-magnesium ratio was 2.33+/- 0.18 (normal range: below 2.4). Approximately 40% of the elderly hypertensives showed a significantly increasd ratio of ionized calcium and magnesium (p < 0.01).
Conclusions: As descibed earlier, a magnesium deficiency can be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension (in the elderly), showing a link to arteriosclerosis development. For nutritial aspects a daily orally given magnesium supplementation should be 300 – 500 mg. When measuring magnesium the lower normal range should be at least 0.85 mmol/l according to recent recommendations.