Which is a major cardiovascular finding in hypercalcemia?

Which is a major cardiovascular finding in hypercalcemia?

• A. Hypotension
• B. Hypertension
• C. Syncope
• D. Edema

Answer: (B)

When calcium levels are high, calcium ions enter vascular smooth muscle cells more readily, causing increased contraction of the vessel walls. This raises systemic vascular resistance and elevates arterial pressure, so hypertension emerges as a prominent cardiovascular effect of hypercalcemia. The heart can also become more contractile and its conduction can be affected, which can accompany the high blood pressure, but the standout finding is the rise in blood pressure. Other options—like hypotension, edema, or syncope—are less typical as direct, primary cardiovascular manifestations of hypercalcemia (they may occur in certain contexts, such as severe dehydration or complex clinical pictures), but hypertension best captures the usual cardiovascular impact of elevated calcium.

When calcium levels are high, calcium ions enter vascular smooth muscle cells more readily, causing increased contraction of the vessel walls. This raises systemic vascular resistance and elevates arterial pressure, so hypertension emerges as a prominent cardiovascular effect of hypercalcemia. The heart can also become more contractile and its conduction can be affected, which can accompany the high blood pressure, but the standout finding is the rise in blood pressure. Other options—like hypotension, edema, or syncope—are less typical as direct, primary cardiovascular manifestations of hypercalcemia (they may occur in certain contexts, such as severe dehydration or complex clinical pictures), but hypertension best captures the usual cardiovascular impact of elevated calcium.