Serum Magnesium Levels in Desalination Tap Water and Outcomes in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients

Extensive seawater desalination in Israel may decrease magnesium in drinking water (DW), causing hypomagnesemia and adverse health effects. We study the association between consumption of desalinated drinking water (DSW) and serum magnesium in acute MI (AMI) patients, Subjects 35-75 years of age with the first AMI will be prospectively recruited during 1 year from 2 regions; the Departments of Cardiology at the Sheba Medical center (300 patients, predominantly served by DSW) and the Nahariya Medical Center (150 patients, served by non-DSW). Questionnaire will be developed to collect data on demographic variables (at home and work), water and beverages consumption habits (tap water, mineral water), dietary sources of Mg and Mg supplementations. Mg levels will be measured in DW from the patients' homes and in their serum on admission.