Study of Serum Total and Ionized Calcium in Untreated Newly Diagnosed Patients of Essential Hypertension

Background: Hypertension is a common health problem worldwide and with on going global increase in the incidence. About 90-95% of all the diagnosed hypertension is essential hypertension. Serum concentration of calcium, both total and ionized, are related to essential hypertension. Objectives: To observe serum calcium (total & ionized) levels in essential hypertension. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2012 to June 2013 in the Department of Physiology, Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur. For this, 30 untreated diagnosed patients of essential hypertension were included in the study group-B (experimental). The patients were selected from the out-patient Department of Medicine, Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Rangpur and Hypertension & Research Centre, Rangpur. For comparison age and sex matched 30 apparently healthy subjects were included in the study group-A (control) selected from our community. For statistical analysis independent sample “t” test was performed by computer-based software SPSS-16.0 version for windows. Results: Serum calcium (total and ionized) levels were significantly lower (P<0.001) in group B than group A. Conclusion: The total serum calcium and ionized calcium levels were decreased in untreated newly diagnosed patients of essential hypertension.