From the Guidelines
Hypermagnesemia is a life-threatening condition that can cause severe neurological and cardiovascular symptoms, including muscular weakness, paralysis, ataxia, drowsiness, confusion, vasodilation, hypotension, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, hypoventilation, and cardiorespiratory arrest, when serum magnesium levels exceed 2.2 mEq/L. According to the 2010 American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care 1, hypermagnesemia can produce a range of symptoms due to its effects on the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Key Symptoms
- Muscular weakness
- Paralysis
- Ataxia
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Vasodilation
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Hypoventilation
- Cardiorespiratory arrest As noted in the study 1, extremely high serum magnesium levels can lead to depressed levels of consciousness, bradycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias, emphasizing the need for prompt recognition and treatment of hypermagnesemia to prevent severe morbidity and mortality.
From the Research
Hypermagnesemia Symptoms
The symptoms of hypermagnesemia can be severe and potentially life-threatening. Some of the symptoms include:
- Neuromuscular dysfunction
- Respiratory and cardiovascular negative outcomes
- Coma 2
- Dysautonomia
- Muscle weakness
- Respiratory failure
- Altered level of consciousness from drowsiness to coma 3
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Altered mental status
- Respiratory depression 4
Risk Factors
Certain populations are at a higher risk of developing hypermagnesemia, including:
- Patients with impaired renal function 2, 5
- Patients receiving magnesium-containing medications or supplements 2, 5
- Patients with chronic kidney disease 5
- Older hospitalized patients 6
Clinical Presentation
Hypermagnesemia can present with a range of symptoms, from mild to severe. In severe cases, it can lead to: