* Magnesium (Mg2+) is an essential element that is obtained via dietary intake of leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts/seeds, and whole grains; it is relatively deficient in the American diet.
* Mg2+ is critical for the normal physiological functioning of the vascular smooth muscle, endothelial cells, and myocardium. Several epidemiological and clinical studies have linked Mg2+ in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders (CVD).
* Mg2+ is well known for its antiarrhythmic properties via modulation of myocardial excitability and in the pathogenesis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias (polymorphic ventricular tachycardia/torsades de pointes & digoxin toxicity).
* Mg2+ supplementation has also been shown to cause significant decrease in ventricular ectopic beats and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in NYHA class II–IV heart failure patients.
* A recent meta-analysis by Qu et al examined the association between dietary Mg2+ intake, serum Mg2+ levels, and the risk of total CVD events; the greatest reduction in CVD events was observed for intake between 150-400 mg/d.
* Given the magnitude of CVD and Mg2+-deficient diet in the US, there is a critical need to further investigate the interrelationship between Mg2+ and CVD events. Additionally increasing Mg2+ intake in the diet to maintain high normal serum Mg2+ level is both physiologic and judicious.
