Pilot Study: Hypovitaminosis D, Hyperparathyroidism and Hypomagnesemia in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure

Pilot Study: Hypovitaminosis D, Hyperparathyroidism and Hypomagnesemia in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure

People with heart failure may have low magnesium and low vitamin D levels. They may also have abnormally high levels of parathyroid hormones. Magnesium and vitamin D are important chemicals that are not routinely measured in blood tests. We are studying how many people with heart failure have low levels of magnesium and vitamin D. We are also studying how many people with heart failure have overactive parathyroid glands and if that is related to their vitamin D levels.

This is a single-encounter crossectional prevalence study in which demographic information, health opinion surveys and labwork are all obtained at one visit. There are no follow up visits, however, if abnormal lab results are discovered, participants will be notified via US mail.

Inclusion Criteria:

• congestive heart failure

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnant
• hospitalized within one month
• taking calcium, vitamin D or magnesium supplements
• proteinuria > 1g/24h
• creatinine clearance <35 (MDRD)