Low calcium intake is associated with increased blood pressure among Filipino women

There is increasing epidemiologic and animal evidence that a low calcium diet increases blood pressure. The aim of this review is to compile the information on the link between low calcium intake and blood pressure. Calcium intake may regulate blood pressure by modifying intracellular calcium in vascular smooth muscle cells and by varying vascular volume through the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. Low calcium intake produces a rise of parathyroid gland activity. The parathyroid hormone increases intracellular calcium in vascular smooth muscles resulting in vasoconstriction. Parathyroidectomized animals did not show an increase in blood pressure when fed a low calcium diet as did sham-operated animals. Low calcium intake also increases the synthesis of calcitriol in a direct manner or mediated by parathyroid hormone (PTH). Calcitriol increases intracellular calcium in vascular smooth muscle cells. Both low calcium intake and PTH may stimulate renin release and consequently angiotensin II and aldosterone synthesis. We are willing with this review to promote discussions and contributions to achieve a better understanding of these mechanisms, and if required, the design of future studies.

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Association between calcium intake, parathormone levels and blood pressure during pregnancy.

Colombia Medica ◽

10.25100/cm.v40i2.641 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 185-193

Author(s):

Aníbal Nieto ◽

Julián A. Herrera ◽

José Villar ◽

Roberto Matorras ◽

Carlos López de la Manzanara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Systolic Blood Pressure ◽

Calcium Intake ◽

Regression Models ◽

Statistical Association ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

High Systolic Blood Pressure ◽

Low Calcium ◽

Nitrite Nitrate ◽

A Prospective Study

Purpose: To evaluate the association between calcium intake from diet, calciotropic hormones (PTH, PTH-rp), vasoactive regulators (endothelin, nitric oxide) and blood pressure levels during pregnancy, birth and puerperium. Method: In a prospective study 149 healthy normotensive primigravidas were followed-up from 15 weeks of gestation to puerperium. Daily calcium intake, calciuria, PTH, PTH-rp, endothelin, nitrite-nitrate, and Holter Test were assessed. Linear regression models were performed to evaluate the association between calcium intake, blood pressure levels and the laboratory tests. Multivariate regression models were performed to control potential confounders. Results: A significant increase of calcium intake during pregnancy was observed (931±301 mg/day to 1,195±467 mg/day, p< 0.001). Plasma PTH-rp, endothelin, and nitrite-nitrate levels did not change during pregnancy. Among the women 38 (25.4%) had low calcium intake (< 800 mg/day) with a larger increase of systolic and diastolic blood pressure during pregnancy (p=0.04) birth (p=0.006) and puerperium (p=0.01). After adjusting for other factors the multivariate analyses showed statistical association between low calcium intake, high parathormone levels and high systolic blood pressure levels during pregnancy (p=0.002). Conclusion: Low calcium intake during pregnancy is associated with a larger increase of systolic blood pressure and high parathormone levels.

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