Magnesium is highly beneficial for treating angina, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis, strokes, heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, and mitral valve prolapse. As a muscle relaxant within arterial walls, it alleviates chest pain and other symptoms of angina due to lack of oxygen to, or energy in, the heart. Taken regularly, magnesium can help maintain vascular tone and healthy blood pressure, and may also contribute to reversing arterial plaques. Magnesium also helps prevent insulin resistance.