magnesium and the heart

[tabs]

I have noticed a number of posts about magnesium and its affects on the heart. I was wondering where you got the information? I took calicum and magnesium for a little while with a low EF. I ended up in ER with fluid retention that I was unable to diures normally. The ER doc assured me that the supplement did not cause it. He sent me back to the heart function clinic (a special clinic for severe HF patients that I had just been discharged from) for follow-up. At the clinic, everyone there assured me that the supplement should have had no affect on the heart. I did stop taking the supplement, but saw no real difference.

Any info appreciated.
Thanks,
Twilah

[LauraNP]

Well I don't know for sure what the implications are..

But high magnesium is associated with torsades de pointes. Dont want to take any chances, especially since I've had arrythmias while pregnant.

[heidiross]

Considering we give Magnesium to lower blood pressure in our pregnant PIH patients, I would say that maybe it should have an effect on the heart. My nursing drug book does give some side effects to the cadiovascular system.

[tabs]

Considering we give Magnesium to lower blood pressure in our pregnant PIH patients, I would say that maybe it should have an effect on the heart. My nursing drug book does give some side effects to the cadiovascular system.

I thought we gave mag to PIH patients to block potential seizures? I thought that it raised the threshold for seizures? Any other ideas?

Twilah

[heidiross]

We give it to lower blood pressure, because the higher the blood pressure gets the more likely the seizures. When our women even postpartum have high blood pressure ususally they come with a dr order to give mag if blood pressure over a certain number. We dont know if it is chronic or caused by pregnancy. Sorry havent been online in a few days. Finally got one out of three computers going. One is permanently dead, this one had to restore, mine is a lemon and getting fixed (brand new Gateway), so I also bought another one that will be up tomorrow. Giving the dead one to my boys for bbgun practice (LOL), or throwing it at someone (my ex (the idiot that bought it and went to porn sights) and his wife). Have a good night, day. Tomorrow night I work:rolleyes:

[jennifer]

My Electrophysiologist has me on 500 mg of Magnesium/day in an effort to help control arrhythmias (PVC's). I haven't been able to tell much difference, but I never feel the PVC's, so I'm not sure. They monitor my levels with blood tests.

[heartfulloflove]

In my anorexic days, I downed a bottle of milk of magnesia a day. Yes, a DAY. I was nuts. Oddly, it was then that I had the fewest palpitation episodes, even when severely dehydrated with potassium loss. Darn near wrecked my kidneys though. My guess would be it helps arrhythmias in the right doses, but my cardiologist and GP both advice against any unsupervised use of magnesium or potassium supplementation, since both in the wrong amount can cause more harm than good.

I still wonder if all of that is why my EF% was always on the low end of normal. I've been 50-52% since my teens until recently.

[heidiross]

Okay last nigght did reading. It is supposed to calm electrical impulses in the CNS system and cardiovascular system. Stopping seizures from the poor pregnant people whose BP goes so high that they can go into a seizure or stroke. Also Magesium is a major laxative. Magesium relaxes, so it goes on an IV pump to regulate and if by some chance the female takes the tubes out of the pump she will fall to the floor:eek: . We watch reflexes and urine output too. Good night all, had my blood pressure nightmare last night. I was afraid she would seize or stroke on me and I am just a postpartum nurse.:confused: