What Happens to Your Blood Pressure When You Start Taking Magnesium

Ouadie Rhabbouron
A hand holding multivitamins, vitamin D, Omega-3, collagen and magnesium, and a glass of water in another hand
Some research suggests that magnesium supplements may lower blood pressure.Oleg Breslavtsev / Getty Images
  • Magnesium is a mineral essential for many bodily processes, including healthy muscle and nerve activity.
  • Studies suggest that supplemental magnesium may help lower blood pressure for some people.
  • However, it’s best to speak to a healthcare provider before taking new supplements, including magnesium.

Magnesium is a mineral that supports the immune system, maintains normal muscle and nerve function, supports strong bones, and ensures a normal heartbeat.1 Research also suggests that taking a magnesium supplement may offer benefits for the heart.2

 

Can Magnesium Lower Blood Pressure?

Studies indicate that taking magnesium supplements may help lower blood pressure, particularly for people with high blood pressure.2

Research suggests that taking 500 to 1,000 milligrams of magnesium supplements per day can help lower systolic blood pressure (the top number) by as much as 2.7 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) to 5.6 mm Hg, and lower diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) by as much as 1.7 mm Hg to 3.4 mm Hg.3

High blood pressure—or hypertension—is associated with a higher risk of death from:3

  • Coronary heart disease (CHD): Also called ischemic heart disease, CHD is a type of heart disease that results when the heart’s arteries can’t provide enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
  • Congestive heart failure: A heart condition that occurs when the heart is unable to efficiently pump enough blood. As a result, the body is not provided with the amount of oxygen it needs to stay healthy.
  • Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA): CVA is the medical term for a stroke, which is an interruption to the flow of blood in the brain’s cells.

More research is needed to determine how magnesium works to lower blood pressure. However, some data suggests magnesium influences several pathways in your body that are responsible for lowering circulating volume (the total amount of blood within the circulatory system). This potentially improves the ability of your arteries to expand and contract.2

Additionally, magnesium is necessary for regulating normal heart rhythm and keeping your heart beating steadily.1

Next »»