Effect of Magnesium on Blood Pressure

The objective of this Annals of Pharmacotherapy study was to evaluate the long-term blood pressure-lowering ability of oral magnesium versus placebo in patients with implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).

In 50 patients who completed at least 12 weeks of follow-up, 86% of patients, regardless of randomization, had a baseline intracellular magnesium deficiency, but no patients had a serum magnesium deficiency. At 12 weeks, magnesium significantly reduced systolic blood pressure compared with placebo. In the 45 patients who continued in the study through the 24-week time period, the systolic blood pressure reduction was maintained.