Understanding the Impact of Magnesium Deficiency on Heart Health: Causes, Symptoms, and Risks

2023-07-16 12:28:10

Magnesium is a mineral that is important for many functions in the body. magnesium deficiency can therefore also express itself through a wide variety of symptoms and lead, among other things, to cardiac arrhythmias, tachycardia or heart pain.

How magnesium deficiency affects the heart

One of the numerous functions that magnesium takes on in the body is the conduction of excitation in the nervous system. Magnesium thus ensures perfect muscle work. In the case of a magnesium deficiency, this is impaired, muscle cramps can occur, which can also affect the heart – after all, this is “only” a muscle. According to the “German Heart Foundation”, severe cases of magnesium deficiency can even lead to ventricular fibrillation and, as a result, to sudden cardiac death.

Causes of magnesium deficiency

According to the online portal “Onmeda”, an adult person needs around 350 to 400 milligrams of magnesium every day. The mineral cannot be produced by the body itself and must therefore be supplied regularly through food. Around 70 percent of the German population have no problem meeting their daily magnesium requirements, but there are various groups of people who have an increased need for magnesium. This includes people with heart disease, diabetics and the elderly. Also athletes whose muscles are subjected to greater stress require more magnesium.

Deficiency symptoms can occur not only in people who have an increased need for magnesium. An unbalanced diet or various diseases can also lead to a magnesium deficiency. These include diseases that are accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting, such as the Abdominal influenza or Crohn’s disease. Magnesium deficiency can also occur with eating disorders, especially in connection with the abuse of laxatives, and alcohol dependence.

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Do not take preparations preventively

However, the “German Heart Foundation” urgently advises against taking food supplements enriched with magnesium as a preventive measure, even if there is no magnesium deficiency at all. Because too much of the mineral can also negatively affect heart function. Appropriate medication should only be taken if a magnesium deficiency has been unequivocally established. This is usually done through a blood test ordered by a doctor.

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