Research On Magnesium Deficiency & Heart Attacks

Magnesium is a metal that is necessary for your heart to function properly. If you do not get enough magnesium in your diet, and your magnesium deficiency becomes severe, you may be diagnosed with a condition called hypomagnesemia, in which abnormally low levels of magnesium in your blood signal the onset of many physical problems, including various forms of heart disease. At least 2.5 percent of the American population has hypomagnesemia, as described in a February 2005 "Journal of Family Practice" study by researchers at two North Carolina universities.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a light metal used in building structures, and the third most abundant structural metal found in the Earth's crust after aluminum and iron, according to the Magnesium Encyclopedia. Magnesium performs many functions in your body, including keeping your heart rhythm regular, steadying your blood pressure, bolstering your immune system, strengthening your bones, and relaxing your muscles and nerves. If you do not get enough magnesium and develop hypomagnesemia, your symptoms may include weaker muscles and reflexes, mental confusion, high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms.

Hypomagnesemia Studies Survey

A June 2010 survey of many current research studies on hypomagnesemia and cardiac problems, published in "Magnesium Research" by Dr. Michael Shechter of the Leviev Heart Center in Tel Aviv Israel, found that hypomagnesemia is associated with increased rates of coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure, especially in the elderly. The numerous studies Dr. Shechter reviewed indicated that giving coronary artery disease patients' injections of magnesium or asking them to regularly ingest magnesium tablets significantly improved their condition. Dr. Shechter urged his colleagues to conduct more studies on the effectiveness of giving magnesium supplements to patients diagnosed with either hypomagnesemia, coronary artery disease or both conditions.

Additional Research

A 2010 study carried out by a team of researchers at University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan and published in "Clinical Laboratory" supports Dr. Shechter's findings. The Pakistani researchers discovered that heart attack patients had lower magnesium levels in their blood than healthy control subjects. A scientific team at Mukogawa Women's University Institute in Hyogo, Japan reviewed World Health Organization data from 25 countries and discovered that cardiovascular problems were significantly lower among people who ingested more magnesium in their diets.The Japanese researchers recommended in an August 2010 "Journal of Biomedical Science" article that people be asked to eat more foods that are rich in magnesium in order to prevent cardiovascular disease. Both research studies noted that other substances, such as potassium and taurine, may, like magnesium, be lower in heart disease patients and recommended that patients' diets be checked for more nutritional deficiencies.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you suspect that you are not ingesting enough magnesium in your diet, ask your doctor to take a blood or urine sample from you and have it sent to a laboratory to see if your magnesium levels are too low. If you do not have enough magnesium in your body, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements provides a list of healthy foods you can eat that are good sources of magnesium, including halibut, almonds, cashews, soybeans, spinach, oatmeal and potatoes. Magnesium is also available as a dietary supplement in capsule, liquid, tablet, syrup or powdered form. As with any supplements, however, consult with your doctor before adding them to your diet.