Effects of oral magnesium therapy on exercise tolerance, exercise-induced chest pain, and quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease

Am J Cardiol. 2003 Mar 1;91(5):517-21. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9149(02)03297-6.

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that magnesium supplementation improves endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the impact on clinical outcomes, such as exercise-induced chest pain, exercise tolerance, and quality of life, has not been established. In a multicenter, multinational, prospective, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial, 187 patients with CAD (151 men, 36 women; mean +/- SD age 63 +/- 10 years, range 42 to 83) were randomized to receive either oral magnesium 15 mmol twice daily (Magnosolv-Granulat, total magnesium 365 mg provided as magnesium citrate) (n = 94) or placebo (n = 93) for 6 months. Symptom-limited exercise testing (Bruce protocol) and responses given on quality-of-life questionnaires were the outcomes measured. Magnesium therapy significantly increased intracellular magnesium levels ([Mg]i) in a substudy of 106 patients at 6 months compared with placebo (35.5 +/- 3.7 vs 32.6 +/- 2.9 mEq/L, p = 0.0151). Magnesium treatment significantly increased exercise duration time compared with placebo (8.7 +/- 2.1 vs 7.8 +/- 2.9 minutes, p = 0.0075), and lessened exercise-induced chest pain (8% vs 21%, p = 0.0237). Quality-of-life parameters significantly improved in the magnesium group. These findings suggest that oral magnesium supplementation in patients with CAD for 6 months results in a significant improvement in exercise tolerance, exercise-induced chest pain, and quality of life, suggesting a potential mechanism whereby magnesium could beneficially alter outcomes in patients with CAD.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chest Pain / prevention & control*
  • Coronary Disease / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Disease / drug therapy*
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Exercise Test
  • Exercise Tolerance / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnesium / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Probability
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Substances

  • Magnesium