Abstract
Background: Among the non-communicable diseases, hypertension claims a number one risk factor for many diseases such as heart diseases and stroke. One of the main homeostatic functions of magnesium is the regulation of blood pressure (BP). Hence, it is necessary to study the level of magnesium in hypertensive people to know the relationship between serum magnesium and BP.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate and compare the serum magnesium level in controls and hypertensives and to study the correlation of serum magnesium levels with controls and hypertensives.

Materials and Methods: The BP was recorded 2 times by auscultatory method, and the mean value was taken for analysis. Out of 75 subjects; 25 subjects with Stage 1 hypertension were grouped as Group A and 25 subjects with Stage 2 hypertension were grouped as Group B according to Joint National Committee Criteria and 25 subjects with normal BP act as controls (Group C). The serum magnesium was estimated in them using Calmagite method.

Results: In the age- and sex-adjusted groups, the intergroup comparison of serum magnesium was done using analysis of variance and P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Pearson’s correlation was done to study the correlation between serum magnesium and BP.

Conclusion: Because the present study clearly shows that low serum magnesium is associated with high BP, measures should be taken to enrich our diet with magnesium. Apart from diet, magnesium supplementation can also be given for the reduction of BP.

Key words: Magnesium; Hypertension; Joint National Committee Criteria; Diet