Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.

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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Magnesium... Does it work?

IslandLuvr
IslandLuvr
I'm sure this has been discussed many times, but I'd like to get an update. I've been reading a lot about it, and want to give it a try.

With all the studies out there, I'm really surprised afib patients aren't given routine blood tests to look for potassium and magnesium deficiencies.

Anyway, I'm curious who takes magnesium here...

How much do you take? What kind? Has it helped? Do you find any other foods or supplements helpful?
IslandLuvr
IslandLuvr
Thanks. I converted around 4pm. Ugh. I hate this! I called the pharmacy and the druggist didnt see any interactions between bystolic and magnesium. Well, either way, I won't be using naturally calm again!

No, I drink lots of water all day and carry a bottle with me everywhere.

I'm growing concerned because I went from an afib ten years ago, to 15 months ago, and now I've had three in the past three weeks. :(
deleted_user
deleted_user
Subsequent to my being diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (Jan 2013), and put on a regimen of Metoprolol (2 50mg per day, 20mg Lasix, Lisinipril 2.5mg daily, and 3.6mg Coumadin, 10meq Potassium) I weaned myself off most of them, now only taking 1 50mg Metoprolol, 1 20mg Lasix, and my Coumadin. I started taking 200mg of CoQ10 (over the counter) as well as 1 565mg Hawthorn Berry (supplements) and fell a he** of a lot better, and my Heart rate and blood presure are within the range it should be.
august2012
august2012
I had an infusion of magnesium to try settling AF episode in the ER. Sadly nothing - zip, no effect....
I have no belief in magnesium now
cheers leanne
Surfrat
Surfrat
@ August2012:

Interesting that you had an magnesium infusion in the ER.

I have had both potassium and magnesium administered to me on separate occasions in the ER and during my subsequent hospital stays.

This was done in concert with a variety of other medications to try to stabilize my situation and solicit/resume NSR.

When in full blown severe symptomatic AF, I personally would think that expectations of magnesium "alone" returning one to NSR - would be a rather high expectation. Especially one time.

The effects of AF vary drastically from one person to another.

I'm absolutely convinced that in many individuals the lack of magnesium and potassium can have an effect on their AFIB tendencies and overall health.

- Thomas
IslandLuvr
IslandLuvr
Well, well.. I went to a new GP for a physical today... And I told him about my afib, and what happened when I took magnesium ( btw.. My blood test came back and my levels were fine.)

He thinks my afib is caused by sleep apnea because I always get it at night, mostly when I'm sleeping. He said when you take magnesium, it relaxes the muscles, including in your throat...and that can cause obstruction if you have sleep apnea and trigger an episode!

I go for a sleep study next week, so we shall see...

Bottom line, if you have untreated sleep apnea.. Do not take magnesium!