Whether you are concerned with preventing heart disease, have a personal history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure or another risk factor for heart disease, take these top cardiac supplements to improve your heart and blood vessel health.
Fish Oils (EPA/DHA): The omega-3 fatty acid EPA is the direct precursor for natural anti-inflammatory compounds called prostaglandins which have been linked to most of the chronic diseases of aging as well as heart disease. Studies have shown that DHA, along with EPA, may play an important role in cardiovascular health. This beneficial effect may be related to the ability of fish oil to reduce inflammation—a process intricately involved in the progression of atherosclerosis (otherwise known as hardening of the arteries). Scientists have also suggested that omega-3 fatty acids can have a direct cardiac effect on abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Fish oil supplements may also lower elevated cholesterol levels.
Vitamin C with Citrus Bioflavinoids: Citrus bioflavinoids, rutin and hesperidin are part of a group that function synergistically with Vitamin C to maintain healthy capillaries, assist wound healing via the formation of collagen in connective tissue and support the immune system. A deficiency in rutin and/or hesperidin can lead to a greater risk of vascular degeneration, bruising / capillary fragility, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, varicose veins, hemorrhoids or even aneurysm. Clinical testing has proven the benefits of citrus bioflavinoids in capillary permeability, easy bruising, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant which assists in the protection of blood vessel walls by preventing the oxidation of cholesterol which is involved in the formation of plaques.
Grapeseed Extract: Proanthrocyanidines found in grapeseed extract and red wine have beneficial effects on the circulatory system and may offer protection against stroke, high cholesterol and heart disease. The effects on the circulatory system also assist eye health, skin and aging.
Co-enzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10): The heart and liver contain the greatest amount of CoQ-10. CoQ-10 has helped some people with congestive heart failure (CHF). The beneficial effects of CoQ-10 may not be evident until after several months of treatment. Discontinuation of supplementation of CoQ-10 in people with CHF has resulted in severe relapses and should only be attempted under the supervision of a doctor. Similar improvements have been reported in people with cardiomyopathies—a group of diseases affecting heart muscle. Also, due to its effect on heart muscle, researchers have studied CoQ-10 in people with heart arrhythmias. Preliminary research in this area reported improvements after approximately one month of treatment in people with premature ventricular beats (a form of arrhythmia) who also suffer from diabetes. Angina patients taking 150 mg per day of CoQ-10 report a greater ability to exercise without experiencing chest pain. CoQ-10 appears to increase the heart’s tolerance to a lack of oxygen. Perhaps as a result, preliminary research has shown that problems resulting from heart surgery occurred less frequently in people given CoQ-10 compared with the control group.
