The feeling that your heart is pounding heavily, beating too fast, skipping beats or fluttering can have numerous causes. The occasional ones are generally harmless, many people experience them unknowingly. But sustained or recurrent ones are signs of underlying problems that may require medical attention.
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), magnesium is one of the body's vital minerals that controls many biochemical reactions. It helps in maintaining normal blood pressure and steady heart rhythm to maintain heart health. 
Low levels of this essential mineral increase the risks of having premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), or "palpitations," fatigue, cramping, or muscle weaknesses.
What Causes Heart Palpitations?
Heart palpitations are abnormal heart rhythms that are much more common and are often not signs of anything serious unless they are recurrent. They may be caused by the following;
- Strenuous exercise
- Stress and anxiety
- Lack of sleep
- Too much caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs
- Particular medicines
Y
ou may feel these unusual and uncomfortable palpitations in the throat, chest or neck. Your heartbeat feels like it is:
- Fluttering
- Thumping or pounding
- Irregular heartbeats, extra or skipped beats (ectopic beats)
- Beating too fast or racing
The palpitations may last for seconds, minutes and even longer in rare cases. They are usually harmless, but if they prolong, come with other symptoms like pain, or you keep getting them frequently, it is prudent to consult a healthcare provider.
Does Magnesium for Heart Palpitations Work?
Magnesium plays a crucial role in heart health and helps regulate muscle and nerve functions, blood sugar levels, blood pressure and bone development. So, a magnesium deficiency is concerning. It is responsible for the heart muscle contractions and expansions, which keep the heart beating. 
A normal heartbeat is maintained by various electrolytes like calcium, sodium and potassium. Yet, magnesium plays a central role in regulating the movement of these electrolytes to bring about a steady heart rhythm. When magnesium level falls below the optimum level, the movement of these electrolytes becomes irregular, leading to arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat.
Low blood magnesium levels have also been linked with increased risks of ventricular and atrial tachycardia, atherosclerosis (deposition of fatty materials or plaque on the inner walls of arteries) and eventual heart failure. Studies show that about 38% of people experiencing ventricular arrhythmias have low magnesium levels in their blood, which can lead to more serious conditions if left unchecked.
Apart from stabilizing and regulating the flow of electrolytes within the heart muscles, magnesium can also prevent heart palpitations by:
- Increasing energy levels of the cardiac cells
- Improving oxygen usage
- Regulating calcium ions that enter the heart cells to allow a relatively slower heartbeat.
- Control the release of neurotransmitters like adrenaline that will likely speed up the heart rate.
How to Boost Magnesium Levels
If your level of magnesium is low, the right food choices can get it back up. Magnesium can be found in various foods and supplements. Before planning any significant change in your diet to add magnesium or starting a new supplement, it is good to consult a healthcare provider to determine if it is right for you. 
If your levels are low, magnesium supplements can be an easy and quick go-to, but getting the nutrient from food products is the best option. Some common foods rich in magnesium include:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Spinach (and other green leafy vegetables*)
- Chia seeds
- Cashew nuts
- Almonds
- Peanuts
- Soy milk
- Black beans
- Bananas
- Brown rice
- Shredded wheat cereal
- Baked potatoes
- Low-fat yogurt
While magnesium is vital to your body, ensure not to overdo it. Research shows that high magnesium concentrations can result in ugly side effects such as:
- Impaired kidney function
- Cramping
- Low blood pressure
- General muscle weakness
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
The Bottom Line
Magnesium is an important nutrient. You should always have your level checked. But your best bet is always to talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have about your heart. 
Although heart palpitations are generally harmless, they can be life-threatening if they frequently occur for prolonged periods or are experienced alongside other symptoms such as pain and intense panting. Since magnesium is one of the things you can try to decrease the risk of heart rhythm abnormalities and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease diseases like high blood pressure, it is prudent to ensure its levels are within the optimum range or seek treatment in case of deficiency.
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As a Christian healthshare ministry, we are always there when you need us most, especially in case of emergencies or when your health fails. However, you should keep your body and mind fit to keep your medical expenses as low as possible.
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