Magnesium level may predict all-cause mortality.

According to a study in the June issue of journal Atherosclerosis, low serum magnesium concentrations predict cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. According to the authors, low serum magnesium levels are associated with future development of left ventricular hypertrophy independently of common cardiovascular risk factors. As left ventricular hypertrophy has significant prognostic implications, they hypothesized that serum Mg levels are associated with cardiovascular mortality.

The median duration of mortality follow-up was 10.1 years in 4203 subjects. During the follow-up, 417 deaths occurred. Mortality in subjects with Mg below 0.73mmol/l was significantly higher for all-cause deaths (10.95 death per 1000 person years), and cardiovascular deaths (3.44 deaths per 1000 person years) in comparison to higher Mg concentrations (1.45 deaths from all-cause per 1000 person years, 1.53 deaths from cardiovascular cause per 1000 person years). This association remained statistically significant after adjustment for multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including arterial hypertension, and antihypertensive therapy including diuretics.

The authors concluded that low serum Mg levels are associated with higher all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. This corresponds well with recent findings that hypomagnesemia is associated with the increase of left ventricular mass over the following years.