Long-term oral calcium supplementation reduces diastolic blood pressure in end stage renal disease. A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study

Abstract

Previous studies suggest that oral calcium supply reduces blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine whether oral calcium supply reduces blood pressure in patients undergoing haemodialysis. The study was randomized, double-blind, and placebo controlled. Eleven patients received two grams of calcium per day and 12 patients received placebo. Three patients (one from the calcium group and two from the placebo group) dropped out within the first month. The groups were comparable at inclusion regarding blood pressure, weight, and serum values. Blood pressure measurements were auscultatory with a mercury manometer and diastolic blood pressure was measured as Korotkoff phase V. At inclusion a significant positive correlation between serum phosphate and blood pressure was found. After a study period of six months a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure was found between the two groups (p < 0.05), but no difference was found in systolic blood pressure. The reduction in diastolic blood pressure was 6.9 mmHg of the pretreatment level in the calcium group. In conclusion, the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism with oral calcium gives good benefits in the regulation of diastolic blood pressure. A well controlled phosphate homeostasis may also be of importance for the control of blood pressure in haemodialysis patients.