From this article you will learn why doctors often prescribe potassium and magnesium preparations for the heart, what are the important microelements for the human body. Also, indications and contraindications to the use of drugs, the main active substances of which are potassium and magnesium, are described.
The role of potassium and magnesium for the heart
Drugs containing potassium( K) and magnesium( Mg) are used to eliminate the deficiency of these trace elements in the body. Since K and Mg are especially important for heart health, doctors usually prescribe these medicines for cardiac diseases.
Preparations containing K and Mg have been used in medicine for a long time, with their help it is possible to effectively eliminate or prevent the shortage of these trace elements. Depending on the purpose, can be used as a means containing large doses of potassium or magnesium, as well as drugs with preventive action.
Before using these medications, consult a cardiologist.
The role of potassium and magnesium for the heart
K and Mg are trace elements that help regulate the functioning of cells, tissues and organs. Most healthy people get enough of these minerals from food, which allows them to keep their levels in the body. Adults need about 3 500 mg of potassium and 300 mg of magnesium per day.
Potassium is predominantly contained within cells, where its concentration is 30-40 times higher than in the extracellular fluid. He takes part in a huge number of cell functions, including contractions of muscles and heart cells, the transmission of nerve signals. Scientific evidence suggests that a sufficient intake of potassium from food is associated with a reduction in the risk of heart rhythm disorders, arterial hypertension and stroke.
Functions of potassium in the human body. Click on the photo to enlarge Magnesium is another important microelement necessary for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system and the whole body. It takes part in:
- energy production from nutrients entering the body with products;
- relaxation of blood vessels;
- the functioning of the muscles and nerves, including contractions of the heart cells( cardiomyocytes).
Functions of magnesium in the human body. Click on the image to enlarge Scientific evidence suggests that a deficiency of this trace element in the body can potentially cause heart rhythm disturbances, lead to the appearance of cardiovascular diseases and sudden cardiac death. The use of sufficient amount of it with food is associated with a decrease in cardiovascular risk, a decrease in blood pressure.
Thanks to these effects, preparations containing potassium and magnesium are considered by many physicians to be universal cardioprotectors. Moreover, they are called the main antiarrhythmics, emphasizing the importance of normalizing the levels of these trace elements to eliminate disturbances of the heart rhythm.
Drugs containing K and Mg
The most known drugs containing a combination of potassium and magnesium that are used for the heart are panangin and asparks. It is them that are most often prescribed by cardiologists. Therefore, the information below is for these two tools.
Panangin and Asparks Despite their popularity, these drugs are not without shortcomings. The most important of them is the low content of microelements. For example, in an aspartame or panangin tablet, about 12 mg of magnesium and 36 mg of potassium are contained, which is 4% and 1% of the daily intake, respectively. Of course, no one talks about completely covering the needs of the organism in these trace elements with tablets, but still these quantities are extremely small to eliminate their deficiency in the body. That is why many doctors are skeptical about the appointment of panangin and asparcuma in heart diseases. It should also be taken into account that these medicines are used mainly in the countries of the former USSR.
There are other drugs that contain a fairly large amount of potassium and magnesium. It is their use that is justified for eliminating or preventing the shortage of these ions in the body. These include:
- Potassium chloride in the form of tablets( Kalipoz Prolongatum, Caldium) or solution for intravenous administration.
- Magnesium oxide in tablets or magnesium sulfate in solution for intravenous administration.
Drugs containing large amounts of potassium and magnesium. Click on photo to enlarge It's interesting that these drugs containing much more K and Mg than asparks and panangin are prescribed much less often. Their drawback is that you need to take two different pills instead of one.
Indications
The main indication for the use of potassium and magnesium preparations is their deficiency in the body, which is dangerous for the development of various cardiovascular diseases. To reduce the levels of K and Mg in the body can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, excessive salt intake and the use of diuretics. To eliminate this deficiency, the use of preparations containing a large number of potassium and magnesium ions is most justified.
Products rich in magnesium. Click on photo to enlarge Such medicines as asparks and panangin contain very few of these trace elements. But cardiologists often designate them as:
- Additional drugs for the treatment of chronic heart diseases( heart failure, a previous myocardial infarction) or arrhythmias( most often ventricular).
- Auxiliaries for the use of cardiac glycosides( to increase their effectiveness and improve tolerability).
Elimination of K and Mg deficiency in the body with the help of panangin or asparcam is unreasonable.
Foods rich in potassium. Click on the picture to enlarge Contraindications
Means containing the combination of K and Mg are contraindicated when:
- Severe renal dysfunction.
- Adrenal insufficiency.
- Atrioventricular block.
- Hyperkalemia( increased potassium levels in the blood) and hypermagnesia( increased magnesium levels in the blood).
- The fall in blood pressure is below 90/60 mm Hg. Art.due to heart disease.
- Severe myasthenia gravis.
- Acidosis( lowering the pH of the blood).
- Dehydration.
- Hemolysis( destruction of blood cells).
- Pathology of amino acid metabolism.
Use asparks and panangin in pregnant and breastfeeding women with caution.
The risk of hyperkalemia due to these drugs is increased in elderly people, patients with impaired renal function, patients taking antibiotics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Side effects of
K and Mg medications used in cardiology are well tolerated, side effects develop rarely. These belong to:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Hyperkalemia and hypermagnia.
- Atrioventricular block.
