We explored how serum magnesium levels at the time of hospital admission affect the long-term health of patients experiencing a non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). In our analysis of data from over 4,500 patients, we focused on the differences between those with low serum magnesium levels—defined as below 1.9 mg/dL—and those with normal or higher levels.
Our findings indicate that patients with low magnesium levels were older, had more health complications like diabetes and hypertension, and faced a higher long-term risk of mortality. Specifically, we observed that 34% of patients with low magnesium levels died within four years, compared to 22% of those with adequate levels.
Importantly, even after adjusting for factors such as sex, existing health conditions, and interventions received during hospitalization, low serum magnesium levels still correlated with a significantly increased risk of death by 24%. While we revealed that low magnesium levels could be a concerning signal for NSTEMI patients, we did not assess the effects of magnesium treatment directly in this study.
Overall, this research brings to light the potential importance of monitoring magnesium levels in the clinical setting, highlighting how they may relate to long-term outcomes for heart attack patients.