Calcium Tablets for Hypertension?

Excerpt

Several well-established indications for treatment with ingested calcium salts include hypoparathyroidism, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, renal failure with phosphate retention and secondary hyperparathyroidism, and enteric hyperoxaluria. Another indication may be the prevention or delay of age-related bone loss. The data reported by McCarron and Morris in this issue (1) suggest that raising calcium intake may lower blood pressure. The reported effects were significant only for patients with hypertension and not for normal controls, and do not imply a beneficial effect from raising calcium intake for all adults. Even so, many Americans have hypertension, and the potential consequences of recommending a widespread increase