[Magnesium and ischemic heart disease].

From the epidemiological view point, chronic Mg intake deficiency could play a role of the onset of ischemic heart disease. Mg intake deficiency increases not only vaso-spasmobility of coronary artery, but also exacerbates several coronary risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and mental stress. We have previously reported that blood concentrations of Mg(2+) in patients with ischemic heart disease, especially acute coronary syndrome, was lower than that of healthy subjects. The lower blood concentrations of Mg(2+) may be a result of serious cardiac ischemia. According to the large-scale clinical trials, the efficacy of Mg administration to the patients with acute myocardial infarction has not been established, however, supplementary Mg may keep blood Mg(2+) level adequately and protect cardiac injury from cardiac ischemia.