About all

Magnesium effects on the heart. Magnesium’s Crucial Role in Cardiovascular Health: A Comprehensive Review

How does magnesium affect heart health. What is the relationship between magnesium and cardiovascular disease. Can magnesium supplementation prevent heart problems. Is low magnesium linked to increased heart disease risk. Why is magnesium important for normal heart function.

The Fundamental Role of Magnesium in Cellular Function

Magnesium is a mineral of paramount importance in the human body, particularly for maintaining normal cellular physiology and metabolism. As the most abundant intracellular divalent cation, it serves several critical functions:

  • Acts as a cofactor for numerous enzymes
  • Regulates ion channels
  • Facilitates energy generation

These roles make magnesium indispensable for the proper functioning of various bodily systems, especially the cardiovascular system. The heart, in particular, relies heavily on magnesium for its normal operation.

Magnesium’s Impact on Cardiac Function

In the heart, magnesium plays a multifaceted role in maintaining optimal function. Its key contributions include:

  1. Modulating neuronal excitation
  2. Regulating intracardiac conduction
  3. Influencing myocardial contraction

These effects are primarily achieved through magnesium’s regulation of various ion transporters, including potassium and calcium channels. By modulating these channels, magnesium helps maintain the delicate electrolyte balance necessary for proper heart function.

Magnesium’s Influence on Vascular Health

Beyond its direct effects on the heart, magnesium also plays a crucial role in maintaining overall vascular health. Its influence extends to several key aspects of the cardiovascular system:

  • Regulation of vascular tone
  • Influence on atherogenesis and thrombosis
  • Impact on vascular calcification
  • Modulation of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration

Through these mechanisms, magnesium exerts a significant influence on the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Its role in preventing atherosclerosis and maintaining healthy blood vessels underscores its importance in overall cardiovascular health.

The Kidney-Magnesium Connection

The kidneys play a pivotal role in magnesium homeostasis. As such, kidney disorders can potentially lead to both magnesium depletion and overload, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. This intricate relationship between kidney function and magnesium levels highlights the importance of maintaining proper kidney health for overall cardiovascular well-being.

Observational Data on Magnesium and Cardiovascular Health

Numerous observational studies have shed light on the relationship between magnesium levels and various cardiovascular conditions. These studies have consistently shown an association between low serum magnesium concentrations or inadequate magnesium intake and increased risk of:

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Heart failure

These findings suggest that maintaining adequate magnesium levels may be crucial for preventing a wide range of cardiovascular disorders. However, it’s important to note that observational data alone cannot establish causality.

The Challenge of Interpreting Observational Data

While observational studies provide valuable insights, they have limitations. Factors such as confounding variables and reverse causality can complicate the interpretation of these findings. As such, randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish a definitive causal relationship between magnesium levels and cardiovascular health.

Magnesium Supplementation: Benefits and Risks

Given the observed associations between low magnesium levels and cardiovascular disease, the potential benefits of magnesium supplementation have been a subject of considerable interest. However, the results of major trials investigating magnesium supplementation have been mixed:

  • Some studies have reported potential benefits in certain cardiovascular conditions
  • Other trials have found no significant improvements with supplementation
  • Concerns have been raised about potential adverse effects of magnesium overload

These inconsistent results highlight the complexity of magnesium’s role in cardiovascular health and the need for further research to establish clear guidelines for supplementation.

Current Recommendations for Magnesium Supplementation

Despite the potential benefits suggested by observational data, the inconsistent results from supplementation trials have led to cautious recommendations. Currently, there is no firm recommendation for routine magnesium supplementation in the general population. The only exception is in cases where hypomagnesemia (low blood magnesium levels) has been proven or is suspected as a cause for cardiac arrhythmias.

Magnesium’s Role in Specific Cardiovascular Conditions

While the overall benefits of magnesium supplementation remain uncertain, research has provided insights into its potential role in specific cardiovascular conditions:

Magnesium and Arrhythmias

Magnesium plays a crucial role in maintaining normal heart rhythm. Low magnesium levels have been associated with an increased risk of various arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias. In some cases, magnesium supplementation has shown promise in preventing or treating certain types of arrhythmias, particularly in patients with proven hypomagnesemia.

Magnesium and Coronary Artery Disease

Observational studies have suggested a potential protective effect of magnesium against coronary artery disease. Magnesium’s role in regulating vascular tone and its anti-inflammatory properties may contribute to this effect. However, the benefits of magnesium supplementation in preventing or treating coronary artery disease remain uncertain and require further investigation.

Magnesium and Heart Failure

Low magnesium levels are common in patients with heart failure and have been associated with worse outcomes. Magnesium plays a role in energy metabolism and calcium handling in the heart, both of which are crucial for proper cardiac function. While some studies have suggested potential benefits of magnesium supplementation in heart failure patients, more research is needed to establish definitive recommendations.

The Interplay Between Magnesium and Other Electrolytes

Magnesium’s effects on cardiovascular health are closely intertwined with those of other electrolytes, particularly calcium and potassium. Understanding these interactions is crucial for comprehending magnesium’s overall impact on heart health:

  • Magnesium and Calcium: Magnesium acts as a natural calcium channel blocker, helping to regulate calcium influx into cells. This interaction is crucial for maintaining proper heart rhythm and contractility.
  • Magnesium and Potassium: Magnesium is essential for maintaining intracellular potassium levels. Low magnesium can lead to potassium wasting, potentially exacerbating cardiovascular risks.

These complex interactions underscore the importance of maintaining a proper balance of all electrolytes for optimal cardiovascular health.

Implications for Clinical Practice

The intricate relationship between magnesium and other electrolytes has important implications for clinical practice. When addressing electrolyte imbalances in patients with cardiovascular conditions, clinicians must consider the broader picture of electrolyte homeostasis rather than focusing on a single element in isolation.

Magnesium Deficiency: Causes and Consequences

Understanding the causes and consequences of magnesium deficiency is crucial for appreciating its impact on cardiovascular health. Several factors can contribute to magnesium deficiency:

  • Inadequate dietary intake
  • Increased renal losses (e.g., due to certain medications or kidney disorders)
  • Gastrointestinal disorders affecting absorption
  • Endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hyperaldosteronism)

The consequences of magnesium deficiency can be far-reaching, particularly for the cardiovascular system. Chronic magnesium deficiency has been associated with:

  • Increased risk of hypertension
  • Greater susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias
  • Enhanced vulnerability to oxidative stress
  • Acceleration of atherosclerosis

These effects highlight the importance of maintaining adequate magnesium levels for cardiovascular health.

Diagnosing Magnesium Deficiency

Diagnosing magnesium deficiency can be challenging, as serum magnesium levels do not always accurately reflect total body magnesium status. Only about 1% of total body magnesium is found in the bloodstream, with the majority stored in bones and soft tissues. As such, newer methods for assessing magnesium status, such as intracellular magnesium measurements or magnesium loading tests, may provide more accurate assessments of magnesium deficiency.

Future Directions in Magnesium Research

While our understanding of magnesium’s role in cardiovascular health has grown significantly, many questions remain unanswered. Future research directions may include:

  • Developing more accurate methods for assessing total body magnesium status
  • Conducting large-scale, long-term randomized controlled trials to definitively establish the benefits and risks of magnesium supplementation
  • Investigating the potential synergistic effects of magnesium with other nutrients or medications in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment
  • Exploring the role of genetic factors in magnesium metabolism and its impact on cardiovascular health

These areas of research hold promise for enhancing our understanding of magnesium’s role in cardiovascular health and potentially developing new strategies for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Personalized Approaches to Magnesium Supplementation

As our understanding of individual variations in magnesium metabolism grows, there may be opportunities for more personalized approaches to magnesium supplementation. Factors such as genetic predisposition, concurrent medical conditions, and medication use could potentially inform individualized recommendations for magnesium intake and supplementation.

Practical Considerations for Maintaining Optimal Magnesium Levels

While the benefits of routine magnesium supplementation remain uncertain, maintaining adequate magnesium levels through diet and lifestyle choices is generally recommended for overall health, including cardiovascular health. Some practical considerations include:

  • Consuming a diet rich in magnesium-containing foods (e.g., leafy green vegetables, nuts, whole grains, legumes)
  • Being aware of factors that may increase magnesium requirements or losses (e.g., certain medications, chronic stress, excessive alcohol consumption)
  • Considering magnesium supplementation under medical supervision if dietary intake is insufficient or losses are increased
  • Monitoring magnesium levels regularly, particularly in individuals with risk factors for deficiency or cardiovascular disease

By focusing on these practical aspects, individuals can take proactive steps to maintain optimal magnesium levels and potentially support their cardiovascular health.

The Role of Healthcare Providers

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in educating patients about the importance of magnesium for cardiovascular health and helping them maintain optimal levels. This may involve:

  • Assessing individual risk factors for magnesium deficiency
  • Providing dietary counseling to ensure adequate magnesium intake
  • Monitoring magnesium levels in high-risk patients
  • Considering magnesium supplementation when appropriate, based on individual patient factors and current evidence

By taking a comprehensive approach to magnesium management, healthcare providers can help patients optimize their cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

Magnesium and Cardiovascular Disease – PubMed

Review

. 2018 May;25(3):251-260.

doi: 10.1053/j.ackd.2018.02.010.

Kamonwan Tangvoraphonkchai 
1
, Andrew Davenport 
2

Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Renal Medicine, Mahasarakham University Hospital, Mahasarakham, Thailand; and UCL Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK.
  • 2 Department of Renal Medicine, Mahasarakham University Hospital, Mahasarakham, Thailand; and UCL Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK. Electronic address: andrewdavenport@nhs. net.
  • PMID:

    29793664

  • DOI:

    10.1053/j.ackd.2018.02.010

Review

Kamonwan Tangvoraphonkchai et al.

Adv Chronic Kidney Dis.

2018 May.

. 2018 May;25(3):251-260.

doi: 10.1053/j.ackd.2018.02.010.

Authors

Kamonwan Tangvoraphonkchai 
1
, Andrew Davenport 
2

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Renal Medicine, Mahasarakham University Hospital, Mahasarakham, Thailand; and UCL Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK.
  • 2 Department of Renal Medicine, Mahasarakham University Hospital, Mahasarakham, Thailand; and UCL Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • PMID:

    29793664

  • DOI:

    10.1053/j.ackd.2018.02.010

Abstract

Magnesium is the most abundant intracellular divalent cation and essential for maintaining normal cellular physiology and metabolism, acting as a cofactor of numerous enzymes, regulating ion channels and energy generation. In the heart, magnesium plays a key role in modulating neuronal excitation, intracardiac conduction, and myocardial contraction by regulating a number of ion transporters, including potassium and calcium channels. Magnesium also has a role in regulating vascular tone, atherogenesis and thrombosis, vascular calcification, and proliferation and migration of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. As such, magnesium potentially has a major influence on the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. As the kidney is a major regulator of magnesium homeostasis, kidney disorders can potentially lead to both magnesium depletion and overload, and as such increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Observational data have shown an association between low serum magnesium concentrations or magnesium intake and increased atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure. However, major trials of supplementation with magnesium have reported inconsistent benefits and also raised potential adverse effects of magnesium overload. As such, there is currently no firm recommendation for routine magnesium supplementation except when hypomagnesemia has been proven or suspected as a cause for cardiac arrhythmias.


Keywords:

Arrhythmia; Cardiovascular; Coronary artery disease; Heart failure; Magnesium.

Copyright © 2018 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Similar articles

  • Role of magnesium in cardiovascular diseases.

    Kolte D, Vijayaraghavan K, Khera S, Sica DA, Frishman WH.

    Kolte D, et al.
    Cardiol Rev. 2014 Jul-Aug;22(4):182-92. doi: 10.1097/CRD.0000000000000003.
    Cardiol Rev. 2014.

    PMID: 24896250

    Review.

  • New perspectives on the role of magnesium in the pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system. II. Experimental aspects.

    Altura BM, Altura BT.

    Altura BM, et al.
    Magnesium. 1985;4(5-6):245-71.
    Magnesium. 1985.

    PMID: 3914581

    Review.

  • Magnesium and Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease: Benefits Beyond Cardiovascular Protection?

    Sakaguchi Y, Hamano T, Isaka Y.

    Sakaguchi Y, et al.
    Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2018 May;25(3):274-280. doi: 10.1053/j.ackd.2017.11.001.
    Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2018.

    PMID: 29793667

    Review.

  • [Body magnesium–the spark of life].

    Shechter M.

    Shechter M.
    Harefuah. 2011 Jan;150(1):41-5, 67.
    Harefuah. 2011.

    PMID: 21449156

    Hebrew.

  • Magnesium in Prevention and Therapy.

    Gröber U, Schmidt J, Kisters K.

    Gröber U, et al.
    Nutrients. 2015 Sep 23;7(9):8199-226. doi: 10.3390/nu7095388.
    Nutrients. 2015.

    PMID: 26404370
    Free PMC article.

    Review.

See all similar articles

Cited by

  • Magnesium Deficiency and Cardiometabolic Disease.

    Fritzen R, Davies A, Veenhuizen M, Campbell M, Pitt SJ, Ajjan RA, Stewart AJ.

    Fritzen R, et al.
    Nutrients. 2023 May 17;15(10):2355. doi: 10.3390/nu15102355.
    Nutrients. 2023.

    PMID: 37242238
    Free PMC article.

    Review.

  • Association of Magnesium Depletion Score with Congestive Heart Failure: Results from the NHANES 2007-2016.

    Zhao D, Chen P, Chen M, Chen L, Wang L.

    Zhao D, et al.
    Biol Trace Elem Res. 2023 May 18. doi: 10.1007/s12011-023-03697-x. Online ahead of print.
    Biol Trace Elem Res. 2023.

    PMID: 37198357

  • Circulating magnesium as a potential risk stratification tool for sudden cardiac death: a systematic review.

    Davis E, Fernando BC, Jusni LFJ, Hendryan KR, Kuatama R, Ridjab DA.

    Davis E, et al.
    Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol. 2023 Jun;34(2):153-160. doi: 10.1007/s00399-023-00941-8. Epub 2023 May 9.
    Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol. 2023.

    PMID: 37160637

    Review.
    English.

  • The prognostic impact of magnesium in acute heart failure is different according to the presence of diabetes mellitus.

    Cidade-Rodrigues C, Cunha FM, Elias C, Carreira M, Barroso I, Bettencourt P, Lourenço P.

    Cidade-Rodrigues C, et al.
    Porto Biomed J. 2022 Dec 1;7(6):e197. doi: 10.1097/j.pbj.0000000000000197. eCollection 2022 Nov-Dec.
    Porto Biomed J. 2022.

    PMID: 37152077
    Free PMC article.

  • Characterization of Hypomagnesemia in Alcoholic Hepatitis Patients and Its Association with Liver Injury and Severity Markers.

    Winrich EJ, Tiwari H, Gala KS, Royer AJ, Parajuli D, Vatsalya V.

    Winrich EJ, et al.
    J Clin Med. 2023 Apr 19;12(8):2968. doi: 10.3390/jcm12082968.
    J Clin Med. 2023.

    PMID: 37109302
    Free PMC article.

See all “Cited by” articles

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

How Magnesium Supports Heart Health

How Magnesium Supports Heart Health

  • Health Conditions
    • Featured
      • Breast Cancer
      • IBD
      • Migraine
      • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
      • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Type 2 Diabetes
    • Articles
      • Acid Reflux
      • ADHD
      • Allergies
      • Alzheimer’s & Dementia
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Cancer
      • Crohn’s Disease
      • Chronic Pain
      • Cold & Flu
      • COPD
      • Depression
      • Fibromyalgia
      • Heart Disease
      • High Cholesterol
      • HIV
      • Hypertension
      • IPF
      • Osteoarthritis
      • Psoriasis
      • Skin Disorders and Care
      • STDs
  • Discover
    • Wellness Topics
      • Nutrition
      • Fitness
      • Skin Care
      • Sexual Health
      • Women’s Health
      • Mental Well-Being
      • Sleep
    • Product Reviews
      • Vitamins & Supplements
      • Sleep
      • Mental Health
      • Nutrition
      • At-Home Testing
      • CBD
      • Men’s Health
    • Original Series
      • Fresh Food Fast
      • Diagnosis Diaries
      • You’re Not Alone
      • Present Tense
    • Video Series
      • Youth in Focus
      • Healthy Harvest
      • No More Silence
      • Future of Health
  • Plan
    • Health Challenges
      • Mindful Eating
      • Sugar Savvy
      • Move Your Body
      • Gut Health
      • Mood Foods
      • Align Your Spine
    • Find Care
      • Primary Care
      • Mental Health
      • OB-GYN
      • Dermatologists
      • Neurologists
      • Cardiologists
      • Orthopedists
    • Lifestyle Quizzes
      • Weight Management
      • Am I Depressed? A Quiz for Teens
      • Are You a Workaholic?
      • How Well Do You Sleep?
    • Tools & Resources
      • Health News
      • Find a Diet
      • Find Healthy Snacks
      • Drugs A-Z
      • Health A-Z
  • Connect
      • Breast Cancer
      • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
      • Psoriatic Arthritis
      • Migraine
      • Multiple Sclerosis
      • Psoriasis

Medically reviewed by Joyce Oen-Hsiao, MD, FACC — By Joni Sweet on September 28, 2020

Your heart depends on a variety of nutrients to stay healthy, including magnesium. This essential mineral is involved in more than 300 different biochemical reactions in your body.

Read on to learn more about the function of magnesium in cardiovascular health and learn how to ensure you’re getting enough of this key mineral.

Magnesium plays a role in the biochemical reactions in your heart muscle that generate your heartbeat.

Your heart is a muscular organ. It’s made of three layers of tissue. The middle layer is your heart muscle, known as the myocardium.

Like all muscles in your body, your heart muscle relies on interactions with calcium and magnesium in order to contract and relax.

Calcium stimulates the muscle fibers of the myocardium to shorten and contract, while magnesium has the opposite effect. Magnesium blocks calcium, allowing the muscle fibers to relax. In this way, magnesium is involved in the intricate biological process that creates your heartbeat.

Magnesium also plays a key role in the sodium-potassium pump, an enzyme involved in generating electrical impulses. These electrical impulses are an important component of how your cardiovascular system functions.

The amount of magnesium a person needs varies depending on their age and sex.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends the following dietary intake of magnesium for adolescents and adults:

  • between 14 and 18 years of age: 360 mg for females, 410 mg for males
  • between 19 and 30 years of age: 310 mg for females, 400 mg for males
  • 31 years of age and over: 320 mg for females, 420 mg for males

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans also notes that many individuals consume magnesium at levels below these amounts.

Eating plenty of magnesium-rich foods throughout the day can help you get the right amount of this mineral. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide information about serving sizes of foods that contain magnesium. For example:

  • 1 ounce of dry roasted almonds (80 mg of magnesium)
  • 1/2 cup of boiled spinach (78 mg of magnesium)
  • 1 ounce of dry roasted cashews (74 mg of magnesium)
  • 1/4 cup of peanuts roasted in oil (63 mg of magnesium)
  • 1/2 cup of cooked black beans (60 mg of magnesium)
  • 2 tablespoons of smooth peanut butter (49 mg of magnesium)

Keep in mind that your body only absorbs between 30 and 40 percent of the magnesium in foods.

Another option is to take a magnesium supplement. Always check with your doctor before you start taking a new supplement. Supplements may interact with certain medications.

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in hundreds of functions in your body, including maintaining your heart health. Eating magnesium-rich foods, such as spinach and nuts, can help you get the recommended amount of this nutrient.

Last medically reviewed on September 28, 2020

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Sep 28, 2020

Written By

Joni Sweet

Edited By

Jenna Flannigan

Medically Reviewed By

Joyce Oen-Hsiao, MD, FACC

Copy Edited By

Steve Barry

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Joyce Oen-Hsiao, MD, FACC — By Joni Sweet on September 28, 2020

Read this next

  • Can You Overdose on Magnesium?

    Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. O.

    Magnesium is found naturally in many foods and in your body. But like most things, there are dangers with getting too much. A magnesium overdose may…

    READ MORE

  • How Your Body Uses Phosphorus

    Phosphorus works with calcium to help build bones. Your body needs the right amount of both of these minerals. Learn more.

    READ MORE

  • 18 Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a Banana

    By Ariane Lang, BSc, MBA and Sharon O’Brien MS, PGDip

    Bananas are often the first food you think of when you want potassium, but plenty of other foods are rich in this mineral. Here are 18 foods that pack…

    READ MORE

  • The Dark Side of Iron – Why Too Much is Harmful

    By Atli Arnarson BSc, PhD

    Iron is an essential mineral, but ingesting too much can cause severe harm. This is a detailed review of the harmful effects of too much iron.

    READ MORE

  • The 10 Best Selenium Supplements, According to a Dietitian

    By Jillian Kubala, MS, RD

    Low selenium levels have been associated with a number of negative health outcomes, including suppressed immune function and an increased risk of…

    READ MORE

  • 7 Signs and Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

    By Atli Arnarson BSc, PhD

    Magnesium deficiency, also known as hypomagnesemia, is an often-overlooked health problem. This article lists 7 symptoms of magnesium deficiency.

    READ MORE

  • 12 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Magnesium

    By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD and Franziska Spritzler

    Magnesium is an important mineral for your body and brain. Here are 12 ways that magnesium can improve your health.

    READ MORE

  • Symptoms of Low Potassium (Hypokalemia)

    By Katey Davidson, MScFN, RD, CPT and Ryan Raman, MS, RD

    Potassium is an essential mineral. This article describes low potassium symptoms, causes, and possible treatment options.

    READ MORE

Magnesium deficiency. Why is it dangerous for the heart muscle

In the human body, the amount of magnesium is approximately 20-28 g – mostly inside the cells, where it, together with potassium, is the second most important mineral. Only 1% of magnesium is found in the blood. It is a macronutrient, a natural calcium antagonist and a regulator of vascular tone, blood pressure and peripheral circulation.

Conducted epidemiological studies indicate that serum magnesium levels are inversely associated with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus. In turn, elevated magnesium levels potentially protect against cardiovascular disease.

Our heart is the most important muscle in the human body and requires a lot of energy. That is why it contains more magnesium than other organs. Scientists have proven that magnesium is included in the structure of a huge number of enzymes and in their composition is involved in the production of energy, which is so necessary for the muscle fibers of the heart. Thanks to magnesium, energy metabolism is carried out in the heart muscle and, thereby, the supply of cells with oxygen is improved.

In the process of heartbeat – contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle – two minerals are involved – calcium and magnesium. And, if calcium is responsible for the contraction of muscle tissue, then magnesium is responsible for relaxation. In the vessels of the body, magnesium acts in the same way: it expands the lumen of the vessels by relaxing the muscle layer of the wall, which leads to the normalization of high blood pressure. That is why a sufficient level of magnesium is so important in arterial hypertension.

Magnesium levels also influence the rhythm of our heart so that the contraction-relaxation cycle occurs normally at the cellular level. If there is not enough magnesium in the body, a rhythm disorder may occur. Increased heart rate, abnormal heart rhythm, when extraordinary contractions of the heart appear, or vice versa, the heart skips beats.

There is an interesting fact about arrhythmias – magnesium is involved in the energy conversion of carbohydrates – it is necessary for signal transmission from insulin receptors and for efficient breakdown of sugar. The question arises: where does the heart? With a deficiency of magnesium, the body mass index and the percentage of fat content increase, the process of assimilation of sugars is disturbed, which ultimately leads to obesity, diabetes mellitus and heart problems – arterial hypertension and arrhythmias.

Another important property of magnesium for the heart and blood vessels is its effect on blood clotting. The use of magnesium preparations helps to reduce the tendency to form a blood clot and thins the blood.

Finally, it is worth noting that magnesium deficiency is quite common among those who take drugs for the treatment of chronic heart failure and diuretics. This must be taken into account in an individual treatment and rehabilitation program. Patients taking diuretic drugs for a long time are advised to regularly consume vitamins with magnesium for the heart, since diuretic drugs increase the excretion of this mineral from the body.

General practitioner Kristina Tavluy ME “Korelichi CRH”

We are on the map

Republic of Belarus,
Grodno region,
mr. Korelichi, st. March 8, 62

Ambulance
8 (01596) 7-07-30 Registry
8 (01596) 2-21-32 Information hospital
8 (01596) 2-07-18 info@korcrb. by

  • O us
  • Structure
  • Services
  • Questions
  • Contacts

Effect of magnesium on the cardiovascular system

25.10.2021

Magnesium is one of the elements necessary for the proper functioning of the body. It is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, normalizes the concentration of glucose, thus preventing diabetes , and also plays an important role in nerve conduction – regulates muscle contractility. The daily recommended dose of magnesium is 375 mg. Most magnesium is found in green vegetables, legumes, oily fruits, cereals and fruits such as raisins, bananas, avocados, cocoa, chocolate.

Magnesium and the heart

Magnesium affects the cardiovascular system in many ways. First of all, it protects against arrhythmia, hypertension and heart attack . Magnesium regulates neuromuscular excitability by reducing signal conduction, which prevents irregular and rapid heartbeats. This mineral has an antispasmodic effect on blood vessels , thereby preventing ischemia and the development of hypertension . The correct concentration of magnesium protects against heart attack and stroke, due to its beneficial effect on the walls of the blood vessels and platelets. Magnesium reduces the harmful effects of inflammation on the body and thus slows down the development of atherosclerosis .

What causes magnesium deficiency

  • stress
  • excessive physical and mental effort
  • alcohol or coffee abuse
  • certain medications (eg, diuretics, laxatives)
  • 9 0040 gastrointestinal and renal diseases.

The correct concentration of magnesium in blood should be from 1.9 to 2.5 mg, this is called extracellular magnesium and makes up only 1% of the pool of this element in the body. Most of the magnesium in the body is found intracellularly, mainly in muscles, bones and soft tissues. Consequently, symptoms of hypomagnesemia, i.e. too low magnesium levels, may occur despite its normal blood test values ​​ .

Magnesium deficiency symptoms in the body

  • Magnesium deficiency can cause chest pain . It is associated with a heart attack. The pain is aggravated by stress, exercise and cold air. Due to the insufficient amount of this element, the blood vessels contract.
  • Hypertension . Arterial spasm, which leads to an increase in vascular resistance, contributes to the development of hypertension .
  • Palpitation. Low magnesium levels can also cause arrhythmias, premature supraventricular and ventricular contractions, possible atrial fibrillation and in extreme cases ventricular tachycardia . Therefore, in some cases, Dr. may recommend magnesium for palpitations.