Vitamins & the role they can play in your heart health

Plant sterols

Plant sterols and stanols can help lower blood cholesterol, an important factor in maintaining heart health, as high cholesterol increases the risk of coronary heart disease. Evidence shows that consuming between 1.5 and 3 grams of sterols and stanols daily can reduce blood cholesterol levels by 6 to 12% after 4 weeks, offering a protective effect. 

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring compound in the body, including in heart tissue, where it is thought to play a role in normal cellular function and energy production. As Coenzyme Q10 levels naturally decline with age, supplements may help restore a healthier balance. However, please be aware that CoQ10 supplements may interact with blood pressure medicine and blood thinning medicines like warfarin. 

Multivitamins

Multivitamins combine a range of vitamins and minerals into a single supplement and are designed to support normal dietary intake, particularly if you’re not getting enough of certain nutrients from food alone. They can help fill small nutritional gaps, but they’re most effective when used alongside a balanced, varied diet. However, studies show multivitamins that include antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamins A and E do not actually improve cardiovascular disease. 

Other vitamins & supplements

While vitamins and minerals such as omega‑3, vitamin D, B vitamins and magnesium are important for overall heart health, their benefits come mainly from eating nutrient‑rich foods as part of a balanced diet. Some people take supplements that they don’t really need, although they can benefit some people if recommended by their doctor. 

Certain supplements can also interact with medications and cause side effects, for example, vitamin K, omega‑3 and St John’s wort can all interfere with the blood‑thinning medicine warfarin. 

What other help is available?

If you want more help with your heart health and making sure you get the right vitamins and minerals, there are number of different resources you can use. The NHS Food Scanner app gives you nutritional information of any foods you can scan and offers healthier alternatives. You can also visit NHS Better Health for more generalised advice about improving your overall health.