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Supplements for cardiovascular health may help—or harm—depending on your heart. Discover which work, which don’t, and what your heart truly needs.
Our heart works every second to keep you alive, but are you giving it the right support?
Many people turn to supplements like omega-3s, CoQ10, phytosterols, or vitamin D to boost heart health. But are these options truly helpful, or could some actually raise risks instead of lowering them?
Some supplements show strong results, but only in people who already have heart problems. Others may seem harmless but could cause issues if your heart is healthy to begin with.
So, how do you know what’s right for you?
According to the UK Biobank cohort study, which followed 415,737 adults over a median of 11.9 years, regular use of fish oil supplements—rich in omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA—was linked to a 13% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation in people without prior heart disease. It also showed a 5% increased risk of stroke among the same group. These findings suggest that, for generally healthy individuals, fish oil supplements may raise the risk of irregular heart rhythms or stroke rather than prevent them.
This concern is echoed by a meta-analysis of 38 randomized controlled trials involving over 149,000 participants. They found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation increased the risk of atrial fibrillation by 26%, especially when EPA was used alone. This reinforces the idea that omega-3s may trigger heart rhythm problems in some individuals, especially at higher doses.
In contrast, the same UK Biobank study found that among people with known cardiovascular disease, regular use of fish oil supplements was associated with several positive outcomes.
Specifically, for those with atrial fibrillation, fish oil use reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 8%, and lowered the risk of heart attack by 15%. Among those with heart failure, fish oil use reduced the risk of death by 9%. These results indicate that fish oil may help slow down disease progression once cardiovascular problems have already developed.
The same meta-analysis reported that omega-3 fatty acids reduced cardiovascular mortality by 7%, non-fatal heart attacks by 13%, and major cardiovascular events by 5%. Notably, the benefits were stronger when EPA alone was used, compared to the combination of EPA and DHA.
For example, the EPA alone reduced non-fatal heart attacks by 28%, while the combination reduced them by 8%.
According to a study, Coenzyme Q10 significantly lowers the risk of death in people with heart failure. Their 2024 meta-analysis included 33 randomized controlled trials. They found that people who took CoQ10 had a 36% lower chance of dying from any cause compared to those who did not. They also saw a 50% drop in hospitalizations due to heart failure. This means that CoQ10 could help you live longer and avoid trips to the hospital if you have heart failure. These results are based on studies with moderate-quality evidence, meaning researchers are fairly confident in the results.
Similarly, one study reported in their 2021 Cochrane Review that CoQ10 likely reduces the risk of all-cause death. In their analysis of 1,573 participants across eleven studies, one trial with 420 people showed a 42% reduction in death when using CoQ10 compared to the control. They also found that hospitalizations for heart failure were 38% lower in those who took CoQ10.
Moreover, the same research also found that people who took CoQ10 had better heart performance. Their heart’s pumping ability, called left ventricular ejection fraction, improved slightly by 0.51 percentage points. While this number is small, even slight improvements in heart function can matter.
Plus, patients were able to walk farther in six minutes—about 32 meters more—than those who didn’t take the supplement.
This shows that CoQ10 may help your heart work more efficiently and allow you to stay active for longer. These results were based on low to moderate-quality evidence, so while they seem helpful, they need more research to confirm.
Phytosterols can help reduce LDL cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for heart disease. LDL cholesterol plays a key role in the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. Over time, these deposits can harden and narrow the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow. This condition is known as atherosclerosis, and it increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Lowering LDL cholesterol is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin D supplementation may help reduce the risk of cardiac failure, but not heart attacks or strokes.
In one analysis of the RECORD trial, which included 5,292 older adults, those who took vitamin D had a 25% lower risk of heart failure compared to those who did not. However, the risk of heart attack stayed nearly the same, and the risk of stroke was slightly higher. To confirm these results, they reviewed 21 studies with a total of 13,033 participants. Once again, vitamin D showed a possible benefit for heart failure, but not for heart attacks or strokes.
These findings suggest that vitamin D might protect the heart’s pumping ability in older adults, but it likely does not prevent clogged arteries or sudden heart events.
Not all supplements are helpful for the heart—and some may even bring harm if used without care.
Fish oil, for example, can reduce serious heart risks in people with heart disease, but may raise the chance of stroke or irregular heartbeats in those without it. CoQ10 appears to support heart function and reduce hospital visits in heart failure patients. Phytosterols can lower LDL cholesterol, a major risk factor for clogged arteries, especially when taken with meals. Meanwhile, vitamin D may support heart strength in older adults but doesn’t lower the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
The value of each supplement depends on your specific heart health. So before taking anything, it’s important to ask—does your heart truly need it?
