Abstract
Background: Hypertension also known as high blood pressure is one of the most common complex and public health problems which become more prevalent in developed and developing countries. Epidemiological studies have found links between high blood pressure and age, sex, race, geographic location, local industrialization level, lifestyle, nutrition, and work. Macro and microelements are known to play a major role in various enzyme reactions directly related to the regulation of blood pressure and indirectly related to generation of oxidative metabolic energy and alterations in blood lipid levels. Disturbances in these elements composition may therefore play a major role in the development and management of essential hypertension. The changes in plasma magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus level in hypertensive patients should therefore be actively investigated. The findings of this study may help to understand the effects of elements in the regulation of blood pressure.

Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to measure the levels of trace elements (Serum magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium) in patients of hypertension.

Materials and Methods: Serum magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium were estimated in 50 hypertensive patients and 50 age-and sex-matched apparently healthy well-nourished controls by colorimetric method using Erba XL 640 fully autoanalyzer.

Results: Mean serum magnesium, serum phosphorus, and serum calcium were significantly reduced in hypertensive patients than control group.

Conclusion: Hypertension is asymptomatic condition, whereby the patient’s blood pressure measurement is greater than 140/90 mmHg1. The causes of high blood pressure vary. It may be due to smoking of cigarettes, alcoholism, and narrowing of arteries. Diet definitely plays a crucial role in the development of hypertension along with stress. The relationship between trace elements and cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure, has been the subject of many investigations over the past 40–50 years. It is believed that mineral imbalance may significantly contribute to the development and course of hypertension. Mean serum magnesium, mean serum phosphorus, and mean serum calcium were significantly reduced, while serum copper was significantly higher in hypertensive patient than control group.

Key words: Hypertension; Magnesium; Phosphorus; Calcium