Low levels of magnesium can disturb the electrical activity in the heart, causing palpitations. The mineral is sometimes given intravenously in the hospital to treat dangerous heart rhythm disturbances. Heart palpitations should always be investigated for cause by a licensed health care provider. Self-treatment of palpitations with magnesium could cause more health problems. The use of magnesium should always be prescribed by a physician.
Causes of Low Magnesium
According to the National Institutes of Health, low magnesium levels can be caused by chronic diarrhea, alcoholism, malapsorption, high serum calcium levels, malnutrition, excessive urination and medications such as amphotericin and cisplatin. Magnesium is present in green leafy vegetables, oats, nuts, beans and a variety of other foods, making it unlikely for a healthy individual to experience magnesium deficiency.
Magnesium and Heart Rhythm
Heart cells rely on magnesium to maintain normal rate and rhythm. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a diet deficient in magnesium can lead to dangerous irregular heart rhythm, or arrhythmia. Cardiac arrhythmia from low magnesium, known as hypomagnesemia, can lead to weak heart muscle contractions, low blood pressure, shock and death.
Types of Palpitations from Hypomagnesemia
Types of heart rhythm disturbances experienced as palpitations from low magnesium include atrial fibrillation -- rapid contractions in the upper heart chamber - premature contractions in either the upper or lower chambers of the heart and ventricular tachycardia that can be life threatening. Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disturbance where the upper chambers of the heart, the atria, beat out of rhythm with the lower chambers, or ventricles. Ventricular tachycardia occurs when the lower heart chambers beat rapidly and out of synch with the atria.
Precautions and Warnings
Supplementing the diet with magnesium can be dangerous for patients with kidney disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Poor excretion by the kidneys can lead to slow heart rate, low blood pressure and death. Taking extra magnesium or high doses of Milk of Magnesia or magnesium containing antacids can also interact with blood pressure medications known as calcium channel blockers, increasing the risk of side effects. Supplements, laxatives and antacids with magnesium can also inhibit absorption of some antibiotics and increase the effect of diabetes drugs.
