Studies show a definite CoQ10/blood pressure correlation, indicating that the coenzyme can be a valuable tool for regulating blood pressure and avoiding hypertension.
More than one in four adults has high blood pressure, and every year it is a contributing cause of hundreds of thousands of deaths. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, stroke, kidney failure, and heart failure. One of the most frightening aspects of hypertension is the fact that its basically symptomless and often goes undiagnosed; it is estimated that a third of the people who have high blood pressure don’t know it.
Though high blood pressure can effect anyone at any time, risk factors increase with age. The risk for hypertension raises sharply in post-menopausal women, and high blood pressure is the cause of 3 out of 5 cases of heart failure in women.
Treatments for hypertension include lifestyle changes such losing weight, stopping smoking, decreasing the amount of salt in the diet, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol intake. Several types of drugs, including diuretics, alpha, alpha-beta, and calcium channel blockers, and certain enzyme inhibitors are commonly prescribed as treatment in conjunction with lifestyle changes.
New research indicates that CoQ10 may be a safe and effective alternate or adjunct therapy for hypertension. A natural vitamin-like substance that is found in every cell, coenzyme Q10 is both a powerful antioxidant and an important factor in the production of energy at the cellular level. In both respects it can play a significant role in managing blood pressure.
Concentrations of CoQ10 are naturally highest in the organs that need it most, including the heart and kidneys. Maintaining adequate blood levels of the coenzyme promotes heart health by providing more energy so the heart works more efficiently. It can also lower blood pressure by improving membrane fluidity, which in turn decreases blood viscosity.
Research indicates that supplementing the coenzyme may enhance the effectiveness of blood pressure medications such as dilatiazem, metoprolol, enalapril, and nitroglycerin. In numerous clinical studies participants taking supplements were able to take lower dosages of the drugs. It has also been shown that some medications tend to lower CoQ10 blood levels, so supplementation is warranted.
