October 14, 2025Open Access
View Full PaperOral magnesium and outcomes in US veterans with heart failure
Structured PICO
Does oral magnesium therapy reduce HF hospitalization or death in US veterans with heart failure?
P
Population
US Veterans with heart failure (2001-2023). Matched cohorts included 21,098 patients with hypomagnesemia (serum magnesium <1.7 mg/dL) and 11,634 patients with normomagnesemia (serum magnesium 1.7-2.3 mg/dL).
I
Intervention
Oral magnesium (median dose 420 mg/day)
C
Comparator
No oral magnesium therapy (propensity score-matched on 71 baseline characteristics)
O
Outcome
Composite of HF hospitalization or death at one yearcomposite
Oral magnesium therapy is associated with a reduced risk of HF hospitalization or death in heart failure patients with hypomagnesemia, but may increase risk in those with normomagnesemia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Magnesium deficiency is associated with poor outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF), but less is known about the impact of oral magnesium therapy. This study aimed to examine the association of oral magnesium with outcomes in patients with HF and whether it depends on baseline serum magnesium. METHODS: Of 54 696 Veterans with HF (2001-2023) and hypomagnesemia (serum magnesium 1.8 mg/dL, and not significant at 1.5-1.8 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: Oral magnesium therapy was associated with a lower risk of HF hospitalization or death in patients with HF and hypomagnesemia. Future clinical trials need to confirm these findings.