Should magnesium be used for hypertension alone or only with a diuretic to prevent magnesium deficiency?

Magnesium may be used to help manage mild hypertension as it has a natural calcium-channel blocker effect on the cardiovascular system. If a diuretic is used in the treatment of hypertension, magnesium should almost always be used to prevent hypomagnesemia. Most physicians commonly prescribe potassium and diuretics together, but it is critical to add the magnesium piece to this regimen as well. Magnesium supplementation coupled with a diuretic and potassium is not only needed to correct refractory hypokalemia, but will also enhance the efficiency of the diuretic while preventing hypomagnesemia-induced arrhythmias and myocardial infarctions.

A growing body of research suggests prescription drug use and a magnesium-deficient diet may lead your patients to develop Drug/Diet-induced Nutrient Depletion (DIND)^{1, 3-4}. DIND can be caused by electrolyte-depleting prescription drugs — such as loop and thiazide diuretics, digoxin, amphotericin B, aminoglycosides, cisplatin, and cyclosporine. The disorder may also be the result of a diet that doesn't include enough magnesium-rich foods.

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