Can Magnesium Help After Heart Attack?

In the aftermath of a heart attack, a variety of drugs is used to minimize the damage. Now, some doctors say the simple mineral magnesium might be a valuable addition to the arsenal. Patients given magnesium intravenously for 24 hours after an attack had a 55% reduction in the odds of death compared to those not given magnesium, according to a review of seven studies published in the British Medical Journal. Its role warrants a closer look, says Dr. Salim Yusuf, scientific project officer at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and a co-author of the paper.

Here, Yusuf and a local cardiologist elaborate on magnesium’s heart-saving potential.

Dr. Salim Yusuf, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute:

“Here is a product that is dirt cheap and can reduce death from heart attack, but is hardly used at all. Nobody knows how it works exactly. It could work by reducing arrhythmias or improving ventricular function. We’re not saying to take (extra) magnesium to prevent heart attacks. There’s no good proof as yet (that it works as a preventive).

Dr. David Ciraulo, cardiologist, the Daniel Freeman Hospitals:

“It’s an interesting concept. But all the studies (reviewed) include just over 1,000 patients. To be sure we are seeing something that is a trend, we need larger in-depth studies involving more patients.”