Association of hypomagnesemia with cardiovascular diseases and hypertension

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to review the current evidence on the effects of Mg²⁺ deficiency on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and hypertension, since Mg²⁺ is a potent vasodilator and modulates vasomotor tone, blood pressure and peripheral blood flow. Several factors could contribute to its deficiency and when it occurs, is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, heart failure (HF), and cardiac arrhythmias.

Methods: In order to get a better to get an updated perspective of the current status of Mg²⁺ deficiency and its implications in CVD, hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmias, a focused Medline search of the English language literature was conducted between 2014 and 2018 and 30 pertinent papers were retrieved.

Results: The analysis of data showed that Mg²⁺ deficiency is difficult to occur, under normal circumstances, because it is plentiful in green leafy vegetables, cereals, nuts, and the drinking water. However, Mg²⁺ deficiency can occur under special circumstances such as hypertension and HF treated with large doses of diuretics, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) treated with hemodialysis, and patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease treated with proton pump inhibitors. When hypomagnesemia occurs, it is associated with serious cardiac arrhythmias and aggravation of hypertension.

Conclusion: The analysis of data suggests that Mg²⁺ deficiency does occur and it is associated with an increased incidence of CVD, HF, serious cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. Retaining normal Mg²⁺ levels will prevent the onset of these diseases.

Keywords: Cardiac arrhythmias; Cardiovascular disease; Deficiency; Hypertension; Magnesium.

Fig. 1

Metastatic Myocardial Calcification Due to Hypomagnesemia. Upper. Light microscopy of myocardial tissue from a hypomagnesemic SHR shows tissue necrosis with granular calcification of degenerated and disorganized myocardial fibers HE x 250. Lower. Light microscopy from control SHR shows that myocardial tissue architecture is well preserved and there are no areas of tissue necrosis or calcification. HE x 250.