Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D supplementations as complementary therapy for hypertensive patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Hypertension, the first global modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality, is a consequential and remediable threat to the health of individuals and society. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore the role of calcium (Ca++), magnesium (Mg++), and vitamin D (Vit-D) supplementation as complementary therapies for hypertension, focusing on their effects on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse rate. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined relevant 6509 articles in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL up to October 2024. The primary outcome was the difference in blood pressure measurements (systolic and diastolic) and the pulse rate. The extracted data were analyzed using Open Meta Analyst software. Results: This systematic review and meta-analysis included 40 studies; of them, 24 studies were analyzed. Ca++ was associated with a significant drop in the DBP (MD: -2.04, 95% CI [-3.39, -0.69], P = 0.01), but not in the SBP (P = 0.34) or pulse rate (P = 0.84). Mg++ significantly reduced DBP (MD: -1.64, 95% CI [-3.19, -0.09], P = 0.04), but had no significant effect on the SBP (P = 0.16) or pulse rate (P = 0.81). The estimated effect of Vit-D showed a significant reduction in SBP (MD: -2.83, 95% CI [-5.47, -0.199], P = 0.04) and DBP (MD: -1.64, 95% CI [-2.97, -0.3], P = 0.01). Conclusion: Ca++ and Mg++ significantly reduced DBP but had no significant effect on SBP or the pulse rate. Whereas, vitamin D significantly reduced SBP and DBP.