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 Sulfate

deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi All,

Im new here but I wanted share what seems to help me.

Im 47 years old and I had afib off and on for years... I spent most of last year in afib with none of the various drugs seeming to help.

I was "shocked" back into NSR a half dozen times but it would never stick. I underwent an ablation Dec 2009. Since the ablation I've gone thru some afib "attacks". I am on Multaq and Metropol (sp)

After researching on the internet I read about Magnesium Sulfate being used after heart treatments. I asked two doctors and two different pharmacys if it would interact with my meds and they all said no. Both pretty much let me know they had their doubts about how effective drinking a mixture of water and magnesium sulfate would be on my afib.

Long story short: For the last 8 months I have been taking Magnesium sulfate several times aweek. My afib rarely shows up now and when it does a dose Mag Sulf will make it go away pretty quick. The afib seems to only show up when I forget to take mag sulf. Maybe its all in my mind but it works.

Now heres the rest of the story... Magnesium Sulfate is known by its more popular name: Epsom Salt

From what I can tell the mag sulf needs to build up in your body so you have take daily doses for awhile. I take about a half tsp mixed in water aday. It does Taste bad.

Make sure you ask your Doctor before you take it. If you had Kidney problems I dont think you are suppose to take it.
RuthCR
RuthCR
Magnesium is one of the electrolytes that we need for heart stability. I am ok with magnesium according to my regular blood tests. I do have a problem with potassium, despite the number of bananas I eat etc I have to take potassium tablets daily. I also have a Vit D deficiency despite living in a sunny climate. I'm sure your hint may help someone else, but a blood test first ia advisable. Ruth
deleted_user
deleted_user
One of my many cardiodocs recommended magnesium oxide so I have been taking it daily for six months...it has not made any difference on frequency of problems for me and most of the EPs I have worked with said I needn't take it as my mag levels are fine without it. I am glad if this other form of magnesium is working for you and may try it next time I fall out of NSR. Thanks for the tip!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Mag Oxide didnt work for me.... Mag Sulfate did.... from what I could tell (on the internet) blood tests show only the amount of Magnesium in your blood not in your tissue. Its the amount in your muscles (heart) that matters. My blood tests also showed my mag level to be fine.

I forgot to add that the afib that I had was vagal afib (even tho the doc didnt call it that) the afib would show up after my stomache begain to act up. It seemed like there was a direct nerve from my stomache to my heart.

Once your doctor ok's you trying Mag Sulf
deleted_user
deleted_user
"I do have a problem with potassium, despite the number of bananas I eat etc I have to take potassium tablets daily."

Ruth what kind of pot. tablet do you take? I eat a banana every morning and take a potasium tablet, however the tablet contains only 3% of daily need. Seems almost a waste of time unless I took 33 tablets.

Thanks,

Jack
marikay234
marikay234
I have also tried mag oxide, and I'm not sure if it has helped with A fib, but I no longer get leg cramps! I am going to try it with my next A Fib episode and see if it helps. I figure trying it once can't hurt me any more than some of the other meds they have me taking.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Becareful with the potassium to much can harm or kill you . Talk with your doc before you take them.
deleted_user
deleted_user
you drink epsom salt?
I have read about the magnesium is needed to prevent Afib

I have a Kidney problem I don't know how serious. It is a filtration rate problem. Comes with age
deleted_user
deleted_user
yes, I take about a half teaspoon of epsom salt and mix it with some water. I had some cold or flu bug eariler this week which threw me in afib. It lasted 12 hours. I credit God and epsom salts for bringing me out of it.

Don't use it if you have any type of kidney problems.
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