Is there a CoQ10-blood pressure connection? Medical research says yes. Maintaining adequate levels of the coenzyme can be a significant help in the management of hypertension. X
Medically defined as a condition in which the pressure of the blood in the arteries is chronically elevated, hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the most common health problems worldwide. It is estimated that one in four adults has hypertension, but since it is largely a symptomless condition it is often undiagnosed and untreated.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major contributing factor in a host of health problems, including strokes, heart attacks, and heart and kidney failure. Though people of all ages may experience hypertension, the risk factor increases sharply with age.
Though drugs such as diuretics and enzyme blockers are frequently prescribed for hypertension, successful treatment generally depends largely on lifestyle changes such as losing weight, smoking cessation, limiting the amount of salt in the diet, and reducing stress levels.
An increasing body of research indicates that supplemental CoQ10 can also play an important role in the management of hypertension. A naturally occurring vitamin-like substance found in every cell, coenzyme Q10 is crucial to the production of energy. It is also a powerful antioxidant, capable of neutralizing or even reversing cellular damage. Studies have shown that both of these functions make CoQ10 a valuable alternative or adjunct therapy for high blood pressure.
Energy Booster for Stronger, More Efficient Hearts
Hypertension makes the heart work harder to pump the blood through the body, and it is a recognized factor in many forms of heart disease. Maintaining adequate CoQ10 levels supplies additional energy to the heart, helping it work better and more efficiently. The coenzyme is also believed to improve membrane fluidity, which in turn lowers blood pressure by reducing blood viscosity.
The coemzyme has long been recognized as a key to improving heart health. Numerous clinical studies have shown that patients who received daily CoQ10 supplements within 3 days of a heart attack were significantly less likely to experience subsequent heart attacks and chest pain, and were less likely to die of heart disease than those who did not receive the supplements.
New research published in the Southern Medical Journal suggests that CoQ10 supplements can actually lower blood pressure. In a clinical trial that monitored 83 people with isolated systolic hypertension, those who took 60 mg CoQ10 supplements daily showed an average 18-point reduction in systolic blood pressure while those who took placebos showed only a 2-point reduction.
Antioxidant Properties Repair and Prevent Cardiovascular Damage
The coenzyme’s antioxidant properties have also been proven effective in the maintenance of cardiovascular health, preventing and even repairing damage. Antioxidants neutralize the effects of free radicals, which are chemically imbalanced molecules created when cells interact with oxygen. Free radical damage has been implicated in almost all age-related diseases and conditions, including cardiovascular problems.
CoQ10′s antioxidant properties are also believed to help maintain the suppleness and flexibility of veins and arteries, making them stronger and more efficient at delivering blood throughout the body.
