Low serum magnesium concentrations predict increase in left ventricular mass over 5 years independently of common...

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a significant predictor of adverse cardiovascular events. Experimental studies suggest a pathophysiological role of magnesium (Mg(2+)) in the development of arterial hypertension and LVH.

In subjects with complete echocardiographic data from the population-based longitudinal "Study of Health in Pomerania" (n=1 348), the difference in left ventricular mass (LVM) over 5 years (echocardiography) was analyzed in relationship to serum Mg(2+) at baseline.

Mg(2+) at baseline (0.790 ± 0.003 mmol/l, mean ± SEM) inversely correlated with the difference in LVM over 5 years (p<0.0001, females: p<0.002, males: p<0.024). In the lowest Mg(2+)-quintile (Mg(2+)<=0.73 mmol/l), LVM (187.4 ± 3.1 g at baseline) increased by 14.9 ± 1.2 g, while in the highest Mg(2+)-quintile (Mg(2+)>=0.85 mmol/l) LVM (186.7 ± 3.4 g at baseline) decreased by -0.5 ± 2.8 g (p<0.0001 between quintiles). By multivariable analysis including several cardiovascular risk factors and antihypertensive treatment, serum Mg(2+) was associated with the increase in LVM at a statistically high significant level (p<0.0001). LVM after 5 years was significantly higher in subjects within the lower Mg(2+)-quintiles. This association remained highly significant after adjustment for several cardiovascular risk factors including arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Hypomagnesemia is one of the strongest predictors of gain in LVM over the following 5 years.