Top 10 Heart Health Supplements of 2025
Table of Contents
1. Omega-3s2. CoQ10
3. Vitamin D
4. Folate
5. Berberine
6. Natto (Nattokinase)
7. Magnesium and Molecular Hydrogen
8. Nitric Oxide Supplements
9. Taurine
Introduction
Wouldn't it be natural to do everything possible to prevent your number one killer? Every 34 seconds, someone in the U.S. dies from cardiovascular disease (CDC). And most people don’t see it coming.
Between high stress, processed foods, sedentary habits, and environmental toxins, your heart is working harder than ever, often with no clear symptoms until it’s too late.Heart disease is the No. 1 killer for men and women (CDC), and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of American adults have at least one of three key risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking). Thankfully, many lifestyle changes can benefit heart health, including eating a healthy diet, exercising, and not smoking.
You've likely researched 'best CardioVascular supplements' extensively using Google and ChatGPT. We've done the same, carefully examining multiple articles, guides and studies. This report consolidates key findings into a single, reliable resource.
Cardiovascular health refers to the overall well-being of the heart and blood vessels. It encompasses all of the elements that go into making the cardiovascular system—which consists of the heart and the system of veins, arteries, and capillaries that carry blood throughout the body—work well. Sustaining optimal cardiovascular health is essential for general well-being and longevity.
While maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise are key components of cardiovascular health, some supplements may also support heart health. However, it's crucial to remember, that supplements shouldn't take the place of a balanced diet or doctor-prescribed medication.
Before taking a heart health supplement, it’s important to check with a healthcare provider, especially if you take any medication. Almost all of these heart health supplements can interfere with medications you may be on for heart health, like blood thinners, statins, or other medications.
Best Supplements for CardioVascular Health
1. CoQ10
- High blood pressure — CoQ10 acts directly on your endothelium, dilating your blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.22,23 CoQ10 also decreases aldosterone, a hormone that makes you retain salt and water.24,25 When aldosterone goes down, excess salt and water are excreted through your kidneys, often causing your blood pressure to go down.
- Systemic inflammation — Supplementing with 60 milligrams (mg) to 500 mg of CoQ10 for eight to 12 weeks can significantly reduce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP);26,27 three measures of widespread inflammation.
- Stroke — Systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and nerve cell damage play a role in the development of stroke. Research suggests supplementing with CoQ10 can reduce ischemic lesions and improve outcomes in patients who have been treated with a statin drug after having a stroke (statins reduce CoQ10 levels in your body).28
Ubiquinol production ramps up from early childhood until your mid- to late 20s. By the time you hit 30, it begins to decline (29). Young people are able to use CoQ10 supplements quite well, but older people do better with ubiquinol, as it's more readily absorbed.
2. Omega-3s
This is the most extensive systematic assessment of effects of omega‐3 fats on cardiovascular health to date. Moderate‐ and low‐certainty evidence suggests that increasing LCn3 (long chain omega 3 fats) slightly reduces risk of coronary heart disease mortality and events, and reduces serum triglycerides (evidence mainly from supplement trials). Increasing ALA (alpha‐linolenic acid) slightly reduces risk of cardiovascular events and arrhythmia.
Eating more ALA (for example, by increasing walnuts or enriched margarine) probably makes little or no difference to all‐cause, cardiovascular or coronary deaths or coronary events but probably slightly reduces cardiovascular events and heart irregularities (moderate‐ or low‐certainty evidence). To prevent one person having a coronary event, 500 people would need to increase their ALA, 91 people to prevent one person having arrhythmia.
There is little evidence of effects of eating fish. EPA and DHA reduce triglycerides. EPA, DHA and ALA may be slightly protective of some heart and circulatory diseases.
The ideal sources for EPA and DHA include cold-water fatty fish, like wild-caught Alaskan salmon, sardines, herring and anchovies. If you do not eat these fish on a regular basis, consider taking a krill oil supplement.
In addition, be aware that your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio should be about 1-to-1 or possibly up to 4-to-1, but most Americans consume far too many omega-6 fats and not enough omega-3. For optimal heart health, in addition to increasing your omega-3, it’s important to cut down on industrially processed seeds oils, often referred to as “vegetable oils,” found in most processed foods.
Make sure you buy high-quality omega-3 fatty acid supplements, meaning that the omega-3 fatty acids are pure and have not oxidized much (having low “TOTOX” value).
Some, but not all, large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of marine omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes have reported increased risks of atrial fibrillation (AF). The potential reasons for disparate findings may be dose-related.
3. Vitamin D
- Significantly reduces oxidative stress in your vascular system, which is important to help prevent the development and/or progression of cardiovascular disease
According to vitamin D researcher Dr. Michael Holick, author of “The Vitamin D Solution: A Three-Step Strategy to Cure Our Most Common Health Problem,” vitamin D deficiency — defined as a level below 20 ng/mL — can raise your risk of heart attack by 50%.
About 4,000 patients diagnosed with stable angina pectoris (chest pain caused by coronary heart disease) were followed for 12 years. The average age at the outset of the study was 62. Overall, those with vitamin D blood levels between 16.8 and 40 ng/mL (42 to 100 nmol/L) had the lowest mortality risk.
4. Folate
The Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2022 study revealed that folic acid reduced stroke risk (12). Folic acid is the synthetic version of folate, or vitamin B9, and it’s the most important dietary determinant of homocysteine. Elevated levels of homocysteine (Hcy) are a risk factor for coronary artery disease and are found in most patients with vascular disease (13). According to a literature review published in Advances in Therapy (14):“Several mechanisms have been proposed for Hcy’s pathogenesis related to vascular disease. Hcy can cause endothelial injury, dysfunction of DNA, proliferation of smooth muscle cells, oxidative stress, decreased function of glutathione peroxidase, impaired nitric oxide synthase, and inflammation.”
In an animal study, folic acid was also found to prevent age-related structure changes and dysfunction of the heart that may lead to heart failure (16). It reduced cellular senescence, a hallmark of aging. The best way to increase your levels of this important micronutrient is to eat foods rich in natural folate, such as asparagus, avocados, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and spinach.
5. Berberine
Berberine, a compound found in Chinese goldthread and barberry plants, has
been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. It
boasts health benefits ranging from
improved cognitive function
and
immune system
by reducing inflammation to controlled
blood glucose
levels.
A 2023 meta-analysis of 44 studies found berberine improved blood lipids, inflammation, and atherosclerosis with minimal risks. It also outperformed statins in reducing factors like stroke risk and artery plaque buildup.
One-third of people with Type 2 diabetes also have cardiovascular disease, according to a review published in Cardiovascular Diabetology. The two metabolic diseases are often interconnected. People with diabetes have a doubled risk of developing heart disease or experiencing a stroke in comparison to those without diabetes.
That said, high doses may cause cramping or loose stools. Therefore, working with a holistic doctor can prevent side effects.
6. Natto (Nattokinase)
Natto is a traditional fermented soybean dish widely consumed throughout Japan for thousands of years. Nattokinase, an enzyme from the fermented soy food natto, has been researched for its potential cardiovascular benefits.“Nattokinase is an enzyme that breaks down unwanted blood clots in the blood circulation,” Gitte Jensen, research director at NIS Labs, a contract research laboratory, told The Epoch Times. Nattokinase can break down problematic blood clots by “digesting” fibrin, a protein that plays a central role in blood clotting.
Studies since the 1980s have explored whether nattokinase supplements could help prevent cardiovascular events and strokes.
While some studies found nattokinase did not provide meaningful cardiovascular protection, more recent research found higher-dose nattokinase improved biomarkers in people with atherosclerosis and high blood lipids.
Nattokinase prevents plaque buildup, a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, according to Dr. David Brownstein, a board-certified family physician. Statins are often ineffective for this, he added.
7. Magnesium and Molecular Hydrogen
Molecular Hydrogen
Molecular hydrogen is the smallest anti-oxidant. This paper (Mar 2022) reviews the basic research and recent application of hydrogen in order to support hydrogen use in medicine for ageing prevention and ageing-related disease therapy.
Molecular hydrogen has therapeutic and preventive effects on various organs. Through its anti-oxidative effect, hydrogen maintains genomic stability, mitigates cellular senescence, and takes part in histone modification, telomere maintenance, and proteostasis. In addition, hydrogen may prevent inflammation and regulate the nutrient-sensing mTOR system, autophagy, apoptosis, and mitochondria, which are all factors related to ageing. Hydrogen can also be used for prevention and treatment of various ageing-related diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Note: Most Molecular Hydrogen tablets have dual-ingredient formula and use pure elemental magnesium as its carrier and provides you with approximately 80 mg of magnesium per tablet. So, you receive also highly bioavailable magnesium for a healthy brain, muscles, cells, kidneys, and heart.
8. Nitric Oxide Supplements
Hypertension is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease because it damages arteries by making them less elastic, reducing blood and oxygen flow to the heart and leading to heart disease. Additionally, lowering high blood pressure lowers the risk of cardiovascular events.Nitric Oxide is a vasodilator, which means it relaxes the inner muscles of your blood vessels, widening them. Nitric oxide enhances blood flow and decreases blood pressure in this way. A study showed that nitric oxide supplementation appears to lower blood pressure in patients with prehypertension and might be beneficial as a routine supplementation for cardiovascular protection.
Those given citrulline malate had 40% less muscle soreness 24 and 48 hours after the exercise than those given a placebo.
As a result, nitric oxide-increasing supplements may have important implications for diabetes therapy and disease prevention.
9. Taurine and Heart Health
Further, taurine supplementation also offers promise for reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome, a condition that affects more than 1 billion people worldwide (Nature 2024).
- Controlling lipid metabolism
- Improving glycemic markers, such as fasting blood glucose and insulin levels
- Anti-inflammatory effects
10. Vitamin E and Heart Health
Mainstream media often suggests that once heart disease sets in, it's irreversible, with treatments focused on managing symptoms and slowing further plaque buildup. However, a June 2024 study published in the journal Vascular Biology challenges this view, suggesting that α-tocopherol aids in reducing atherosclerosis and boosting heart function.Conducted by researchers at the University of Antwerp, the study involved mice that develop unstable atherosclerotic plaques similar to those seen in advanced human cases. This close resemblance to human plaque instability provided a solid basis for studying how vitamin E affects cardiovascular health.
The mice were fed a Western-style diet with either a low or high dose of α-tocopherol over 24 weeks. Throughout the study, the researchers observed for changes in plaque thickness, the size of necrotic (dead cell) cores and overall heart function. Their goal was to see if high-dose α-tocopherol could stabilize these vulnerable plaques and support heart health beyond its usual antioxidant role.
Their findings showed that high-dose α-tocopherol exhibited positive effects, specifically reducing plaque buildup and dead cell areas within the carotid arteries, which are key factors in preventing plaque ruptures that lead to strokes and heart attacks. As the authors explained:
"[P]laque formation in the right common carotid artery (RCCA), as shown by the plaque formation index, was significantly decreased in mice treated with a high dose of α-tocopherol. Furthermore, plaque thickness in the RCCA was significantly reduced in mice treated with a high dose of α-tocopherol. In addition, a WD (Western diet) supplemented with 500 milligrams α-tocopherol per kilogram diet reduced the necrotic core area."
In addition to reducing plaque, α-tocopherol supplementation improved heart function among the high-dose group. Mice treated with high doses of vitamin E demonstrated enhanced left ventricular performance, as shown in increased measures of fractional shortening and ejection fraction, which are key indicators of effective blood pumping.
Moreover, a reduction in cardiac mass in the high-dose group points to a protective effect against cardiac hypertrophy, a condition that progresses to heart failure if left unchecked. Interestingly, the study found an unexpected increase in markers of lipid peroxidation, including oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and malondialdehyde, in the group receiving a high dose.
This effect suggests that, at higher doses, vitamin E contributes to oxidative stress instead of reducing it. These findings show that while vitamin E has clear benefits for reducing plaque and improving heart function, its effects vary on dosage. Taking the appropriate dose is important to reap its benefits and avoid any downsides.
Omega-3, CoQ10 and Folate Supplements Boost Heart Health - Study
The researchers analyzed 884 randomized controlled clinical trials that included 27 micronutrients and 883,627 participants. The supplements tested included omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, folate, vitamin D, magnesium, L-arginine, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), melatonin, curcumin and quercetin, to name a few. These were among the supplements that suggested moderate to high-quality evidence for reducing risk factors associated with heart disease.
Specifically, the researchers found that omega-3 supplementation reduced heart disease mortality, heart attack and coronary heart disease events. Folate supplementation was associated with a reduced risk of stroke and CoQ10 helped reduce all-cause mortality events. The researchers concluded that their data highlighted the "importance of micronutrient diversity and the balance of benefits and risks to promote and maintain cardiovascular health in diverse populations."
How to Improve Heart Health Naturally?
A supplement is exactly what the word sounds like: a supplement, something extra to help support your heart-healthy lifestyle. Improving heart health naturally involves adopting healthy lifestyle habits that benefit the heart and cardiovascular system.- Eat balanced, nutrient-rich foods: Choose your meals carefully, with an eye towards their nutritional content. For instance, seafood promotes heart health with its natural omega-3 fatty acids content. Whole grains and high-fiber foods also support cardiovascular health. Lean protein, colorful veggies and healthy fats (think extra virgin olive oil) are excellent starting points. If you're vegetarian, plant-based diets can benefit your heart as well, just don't skimp on omega-3-rich foods like nuts and avocado.
- Regular exercise: You don't need to be a "gym rat" to harvest the heart-friendly (and whole-body health) benefits of exercise. Finding exercises you enjoy doing is the first step to staying consistent. For example, walking, swimming, cycling and resistance training promote improved blood flow. Carve out 30 to 50 minutes a day, at least six days a week, and get your body moving. While cardio is great for your heart, resistance training, like weightlifting, helps you tone and maintain muscle mass.
- Manage a healthy weight: Maintaining a healthy body weight goes beyond looking good in your favorite jeans—it's essential for cardiovascular health. Excess weight can make your heart work harder, which could impact your health.
- Test yourself: Check on your health by getting annual lab tests. These examinations help you be proactive about maintaining cardiovascular health, making it easy to identify necessary lifestyle changes later in life.
- Prioritize uninterrupted sleep: Uninterrupted sleep helps you control your stress levels, promotes peace of mind, and is associated with better overall health.
- Quit smoking: When you smoke, you directly impact several aspects of your cardiovascular health, including blood oxygen levels, blood vessel function and blood pressure. Show your heart some love—pass on smoking.
Key Takeaway
It's important to remember that, when it comes to heart health, supplements can't override your healthy nutrition and lifestyle.
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