Physicians magnesium and potassium deficiency can cause massive damage to the heart

What are the consequences of potassium and magnesium for the heart??

Many people suffer from a lack of minerals, without knowing it. If there is a shortage of potassium and magnesium, however, this can have dramatic effects on our health, experts from the German Heart Foundation warn in a recent release. Due to the increased risk, the potassium and magnesium levels should be regularly monitored by a doctor, especially in cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, kidney disease and taking certain heart medications.

A lack of potassium and magnesium favors atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias, according to the experts of the German Heart Foundation. Therefore, it would be appropriate to counteract a corresponding deficiency by supplying potassium and magnesium. However, many sufferers are unaware that their levels of these minerals are too low. Regular medical checks would be particularly appropriate for certain risk groups.

Magnesium and potassium deficiency can have fatal effects on the heart. (Image: abhijith3747 / fotolia.com)

Minerals with a decisive influence on cardiac function

Potassium and magnesium are important for normal heart function because they stabilize the heart cells electrically, explains the German Heart Foundation. The minerals form electrical impulses in the heart cells and are of crucial importance for the signal transmission between the cells, the scientific society continues. "However, potassium and magnesium only have a stabilizing effect if their concentration is in the normal range," emphasizes Professor Dr. med. med. Andreas Götte of the Scientific Advisory Board of the German Heart Foundation. The normal range for potassium is between 3.6 and 4.8 mmol / l, for magnesium it is 0.7 to 1.05 mmol / l - with small deviations depending on the laboratory method.

Increased susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias

If it falls below the lower limit, potassium deficiency (hypokalaemia) and magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia) in the cells lead to an increased excitability of the cell membrane, with the result that increased extra beats of the heart (extrasystoles) form, the experts explain. This makes the heart more susceptible to arrhythmias in the atria (atrial fibrillation) and the heart chambers. In the worst case, extreme magnesium deficiency could promote life-threatening ventricular fibrillation.

Symptoms of potassium and magnesium deficiency

As other symptoms of potassium deficiency called the German Heart Foundation complaints such as fatigue, muscle weakness and constipation. Magnesium deficiency in turn can lead to symptoms such as muscle tremors, muscle weakness and muscle cramps.

When should the potassium and magnesium levels be controlled??

According to the experts, regular checks on the concentration of potassium and magnesium in the blood are particularly appropriate for arrhythmia, heart failure, kidney disease and certain cardiac and hypertensive medications to protect against possible complications to atrial fibrillation and life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation.

It is also important to adjust the potassium and magnesium levels "high normal" in existing cardiac arrhythmias (eg to a potassium value of 4.4 mmol / l and a magnesium value of 0.9 mmol / l). In some cases, the heart rhythm disorder can be eliminated, but often must search for other causes and the arrhythmia itself be treated, explains Professor Götte.

Diet with significant influence

To compensate for the lack of potassium and magnesium, an altered diet can already make a significant contribution. Normally, the body gets enough potassium and magnesium from the diet. Good potassium suppliers are above all dried apricots and dried bananas as well as vegetables such as potatoes, legumes, peas, white beans and lentils, according to Professor Götte. Good suppliers of magnesium are dried fruit, beans, lentils, cereal products and nuts.

Even heavy sweating can trigger a shortage of important minerals. (Image: bernardbodo / fotolia.com)

Causes of mineral deficiency

However, according to the expert, kidney dysfunction, diarrhea, overuse of laxatives, vomiting, fever, and profuse sweating can all contribute to a significant loss of potassium and magnesium. For example, in patients with cardiac insufficiency, the ingestion of water-borne diuretics can accelerate the loss of electrolytes. Other factors that may contribute to a decrease in potassium and magnesium levels include summer heat, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes and biliary tract disorders.

Warning of unauthorized magnesium and potassium intake

Although the magnesium or potassium deficiency should be compensated for the increased susceptibility of the heart muscle cells for arrhythmias, the experts warn against taking potassium and magnesium supplements without medical consultation. "In principle, potassium and magnesium should only be used if a deficiency has been identified in the laboratory," emphasizes Professor Götte. If the standard values ​​can not be reached by a diet rich in magnesium and potassium, it is not dietary supplements but medicines that should be used, the expert continued.

How is the defect remedied??

For potassium deficiency, potassium is best used as potassium chloride (40 mmol per day), and for magnesium deficiency, magnesium aspartate or magnesium citrate (10 mmol per day). Professor Götte further explains that potassium deficiency can only be effectively compensated if the magnesium levels are in the normal range. Magnesium deficiency increases the symptoms of potassium deficiency.

Even elevated levels are harmful

The reverse variant - an excess of the two minerals - reports the German Heart Foundation, that too high a magnesium level is rare, whereas a high potassium level is much more common. This has the consequence that the excitability of the pacemaker and heart muscle cells decreases, so that the heart beats slower. At extremely high levels of potassium, the slowdown could go so far that the heart stops beating and cardiac arrest occurs.

What can lead to excessive potassium and magnesium levels?

The German Heart Foundation mentions an acute renal insufficiency as the cause of an excessively high potassium concentration in the blood, as well as medications used for the treatment of hypertension and cardiac insufficiency, such as ACE inhibitors, sartans and, above all, aldosterone antagonists. Potassium-sparing diuretics may also increase potassium levels. Therefore, potassium levels and renal function should be monitored regularly in these cases. For example, with diuretics or dialysis treatment, potassium or magnesium levels can be lowered if life-threatening levels of potassium and magnesium are present.

When taking which remedy should be monitored?

According to the German Heart Foundation, monitoring of potassium levels and renal function is strongly advised when taking the following medicines:

• Diuretics (dehydrator),
• ACE inhibitors,
• Sartane or ARNI (Valsartan / Sacubitril),
• aldosterone antagonists,
• potassium-sparing diuretics (dehydrating agents),
• Digitalis preparations (digoxin and digitoxin).

The controls should be performed before the start of therapy, before the dose is changed and in the following two weeks, and then every six months. The monitoring of potassium and magnesium values ​​is particularly important for heart failure patients. Because with them a heart rhythm disorder can lead to a dangerous worsening of heart failure, in the worst case to heart failure, warns the German Heart Foundation. (Fp)