Insulin Resistance, Serum Calcium and Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Multiracial Population, and a Similarity Assessment of Results from a Single-Race Population’s Study

Abstract

Background: Recent research suggests the need to assess more ethnic disparities in hypertension (HTN). On the other hand, studies reveal impressive mortality rates due to cardiovascular diseases for some race and ethnic groups compared to others. Methods: We referred to a recent study on serum calcium (SC) and insulin resistance associated with HTN incidence to compare different race groups in the latter found relationship. We compare the current study outcomes with those from the Wu et al study. Results: From 425 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, we found a significant association between race and hypertension; Cramer's V (0.006) = 0.21 when adjusted with non-hypertensives and hypertensives. Mc Auley index (McA) was negatively related to hypertension, r (355) = −0.24, p < 0.0001. SC associated with HTN in all race groups significance persisted only in non-Hispanic Whites after multivariate adjustments R 2 of 74.1 (p = 0.03). McA was a mediator on SC-HTN in non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) (Coef IE = 13.25, [CI] = 1.42-32.13), and a moderator in other Hispanics interaction (0.04) = 0.27 and NHW interaction (0.001) = 0.028. Conclusion: SC was associated with hypertension, similarly to the baseline study. SC and HTN association persisted in NHW compared to other race groups. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) was not a mediator on SC-HTN, but with McA, this in NHW only.McA played a moderator role in OH and NHW. We suggest that race is a factor implicated in our findings, which may be investigated further in future research.

Obesity prevalence factors associated with sympathetic overactivity and hypertension

“…23 For example, Native American Pima Indians have a high prevalence of obesity but relatively low levels of hypertension. 24 The discovery that the activity of basal muscle SNS in Pima Indians is 20%-30% lower than that of weight-matched white people is one explanation for all of this. 25 This shows that SNS participation is the main factor in hypertension caused by obesity.…”

“…It appears to be caused by visceral (rather than subcutaneous) adiposity, race, and sexuality 23 . For example, Native American Pima Indians have a high prevalence of obesity but relatively low levels of hypertension 24 . The discovery that the activity of basal muscle SNS in Pima Indians is 20%–30% lower than that of weight‐matched white people is one explanation for all of this 25 .…”

Nomogram Including Serum Ion Concentrations to Screen for New-Onset Hypertension in Rural Chinese Populations Over a Short-Term Follow-up

“…41 A prospective study conducted in Taiwan suggests that higher serum calcium concentrations may precede insulin resistance to promote hypertension, which is consistent with our observations. 40 At present, the following mechanisms related to high calcium concentration and hypertension are considered: 38 (1) the intracellular calcium concentration affects the secretion of catecholamines, angiotensin II, and other hormones; (2) calcium is significantly correlated with an adverse lipid spectrum, such as increased triglyceride concentrations; and (3) serum calcium impairs cholesterol catabolism in the liver, increases lipid synthesis, and plays a role in atherosclerosis.…”

Association of famine exposure and the serum calcium level in healthy Chinese adults

“…However, variation exists among different ethnics. A study regarding US civilian population showed that Mexican-Americans have lower serum calcium levels than Hispanics, while non-Hispanic blacks have higher serum calcium concentrations than non-Hispanic whites ( 26 ). On the other hand, in disease conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD), black patients had lower serum calcium concentrations compared with white patients ( 27 ).…”