A low serum selenium, measured by a simple blood test, can assess the risk for hypertension. It is well known that Afro-American patients have a higher incidence of hypertension. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys reports that Black patients also have lower selenium levels. Perhaps we should be measuring selenium levels for all patients who have hypertension or even a family history of hypertension. It is easy to boost selenium with nutritional supplements.
Link to Family Practice News October 1, 2008 (membership required)
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