The significance of calcium and magnesium content in drinking water for arterial stiffness among residents of the Slovak Republic

• Published in: Journal of water and health 2024-10, Vol.22 (10), p.1874-1885
• Main Authors: Rapant, Stanislav, Čermák, Patrik, Cvečková, Veronika, Hajduk, Igor, Kožíšek, František, Stehlíková, Beáta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absolute age; Age; Biomarkers; Blood pressure; Calcium; Cardiovascular diseases; Developed countries; Drinking water; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Magnesium; Mortality; Nitrates; Risk factors; Stiffness; Veins & arteries; Water hardness; Wave velocity
• ISSN: 1477-8920; 1996-7829
• DOI: 10.2166/wh.2024.179

Arterial stiffness (AS) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death in developed countries. Based on the measurement of AS among residents supplied with soft drinking water (100 respondents) and hard water (100 respondents), a significant difference was found in the pulse wave velocity (PWVao), arterial age, and the difference between arterial and actual age (delta – Δ age). Among respondents consuming soft drinking water, PWVao was higher by 1.9 m s−1, arterial age was higher by 23 years, and Δ age was higher by 14.5 years. As an intervention, originally soft drinking water was treated to increase calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) content by approximately 10–15 mg l−1. After 18 months of consuming water with elevated Ca and Mg content, PWVao decreased by 0.93 m s−1, arterial age decreased by 10.42 years, and Δ age decreased by 11.79 years among respondents originally consuming soft drinking water. Thus, their risk of developing CVD was significantly reduced.