Abstract

A magnesium deficiency is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of primary hypertension. In patients with essential hypertension intima media thickness is increased in about 70% (ELSA Study). In our study, we investigated 21 patients (10 female, 11 male, average age 56.3 ± 6.6 years) with untreated essential hypertension (Grades I and II according to WHO Guidelines). All patients had a hypomagnesemia in serum (1.57 ± 0.11 mg%). In all patients we found a significant increase in intima media thickness of arteria carotis communis (0.97 ± 0.08 mm; r = – 0.869, p < 0.0001). The results show that a magnesium deficiency in patients with essential hypertension may be of special pathogenetic importance. In addition, the role of magnesium deficiency in the development of arteriosclerosis has to be discussed. Furthermore, we demonstrated a connection between magnesium deficiency and an increased intima media thickness. In this context, calcium antagonist therapy or magnesium supplementation may be of advantage when treating intima media thickness in hypertension.

Author Details

Authors

• K. Kisters¹,³
• H. Al-Tayer¹
• H. Liebscher²
• M. Cziborra¹
• F. Wessels¹
• J. Büntzel³
• M.Q. Nguyen¹
• O. Micke³
• F. Tokmak³
• B. Gremmler⁴
• M. Hausberg³

Departments

• ¹ Medicinal Clinic I, St. Anna Hospital, Herne,
• ² SHO-Mineralimbalancen, Berlin,
• ³ AKTE, Bielefeld and
• ⁴ Department of Cardiology, Bottrop, Germany

Address

Prof. Dr. med. K. Kisters
Medicinal Clinic I, St. Anna Hospital, Hospitalstrasse 19, 44649 Herne, Germany
Email: [email protected]

Citation