CoQ10 Supplement: Good Afternoon... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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CoQ10 Supplement

26 Replies

Good Afternoon, First thing to say I'm not looking for advice, just curious if anyone has come across CoQ10, apparently, some researchers believe that it may help with heart-related conditions, because it can improve energy production in cells, prevent blood clot formation, and act as an antioxidant. Someone has suggested that I take the supplement, so I'll be asking my Cardiologist about it next month.

From what I can gather it interacts with Warfarin, so its probably a non-starter in any case, but, you never know. I ask because I have Haemolytic Anaemia where my Mechanical Valves destroy the red blood cells before the end of the natural life cycle, so I dont produce sufficient Haemoglobin, which in turn causes other issues.

As I say, not after advice, just curious.

Heed

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26 Replies
Tos92 profile image
Tos92

Hi Hidden

Just found this article below which claims that CoQ10 may help in a variety of heart conditions. I was surprised at the vast range. However, it says “may” so perhaps it should be taken with caution if you do decide to take it. I can see you’re already going to be discussing this with your cardiologist anyway.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Let us know how you get on with it if you decide to take it.

All the best.

Tos

GrannyE profile image
GrannyE in reply to Tos92

See my reply to Shar28

pasigal profile image
pasigal in reply to Tos92

I posted that article a few days ago here. Yes, quite "interesting" but not definitive enough, for me, to start taking it. Yet! I'm totally open to supplements but since I have to pay for them myself...my cardiologist is neutral on the subject, but some seem to recommend. I guess it depends on what your cardiovascular issues are and what other meds you might be taking.

Tos92 profile image
Tos92 in reply to pasigal

I must’ve missed your post! Looking at the responses, it seems that more than a few are already taking it. It may become more widespread in the near future as the side effects and it uses come to light for cardiovascular health/conditions and the most appropriate type of candidates for this supplement.

pasigal profile image
pasigal in reply to Tos92

My mother is a dedicated fan of it==says her GP recommended it. But it's not cheap.

Tos92 profile image
Tos92 in reply to pasigal

Just did a quick online search, they also come in varying strengths/dosages. I wonder how you would determine which strength you would need etc. Has your mum seen a difference to her cardiovascular health as a result of taking it?

in reply to Tos92

Hi, Thank you, an interesting article not knowing anything about CoQ10.

Kind Regards

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady in reply to Tos92

Those who produce the supplements will not be allowed to say the do anything unless there is scientific proof that they can do x y or z! Equally there is no proof it doesn’t.

I know how that is being a Complementary Therapist as I wasn’t allowed to say my therapies did anything other that relaxation, OR be sued and rubbished as there are those paid to spy out such therapists and ruin them.

The drug companies don’t want competitors.

Beta70 profile image
Beta70

Yes I have been taking Co Enzyme Q10 since February 2021 after someone recommended it to me when I first started taking statins and clopidogrel. However I only take 30mg per day, the jar says you can take up to 6 tablets daily. I buy it from Holland and Barrett. It certainly hasn't done me any harm and possibly gives me more energy. Am sure your cardiologist will explain the benefits further.

in reply to Beta70

Hi, Thank you for your reply, much appreciated.

Kind Regards

Shar28 profile image
Shar28

Hello, my husband has a mechanical valve and takes Warfarin too. He also takes Ubiquinol, a more potent form of Q10. His cardiologist and GP are happy for him to do so as he takes it regularly so there’s no concern re INR and it does him no harm.

Best wishes

GrannyE profile image
GrannyE in reply to Shar28

I too take ubiquinol but am not on warfarin but Apixaban. Have been taking it for years. Like all supplements once I start on them how do I know how much good they are actually doing because the effects , if any, take a while to kick in and vice versa. I think it might be doing me good.

in reply to Shar28

Hi, Thank you for your reply, interesting to see that your husband is also on Warfarin, which is my main concern.

Best Regards

PeterpPiper profile image
PeterpPiper

apparently it may reduce the effects of warfarin so check with doc before taking as your levels may need adjusting. I take it but not on warfarin, my friend takes it on warfarin and is ok as gets regular blood tests. Some docs even advise this supplement. My cardiologist said yes give it a go. Not medically tested of course as it’s a supplement.. good health to you

in reply to PeterpPiper

Hi, Thank you for your reply, its much appreciated.

Kind Regards

Silvasava profile image
Silvasava

Currently there is a trial going on with CoQ10 with Dr Halliday at the Brompton supported by the BHF. I volunteered but was unsuitable as I have Afib. I've been taking CoQ10 for years with my Cardiologists approval. I'm on Edoxaban.

in reply to Silvasava

Hi, Thank you for your reply, much appreciated.

I wonder if AFib is a problem, as thats another of my little problems.

Kind Regards

Silvasava profile image
Silvasava in reply to

I think the criteria for the trial needed certain parameters and maybe Afib would skew them.

Harefieldfan profile image
Harefieldfan

I take it. Supposed to help with leg and muscle pains caused by statins. Don’t know if it helps. May give up cause it’s expensive.

in reply to Harefieldfan

Hi, Thank you for your reply, much appreciated.

The guy thats suggested it to me takes it for muscular pains.

Kind Regards

Wingnutty profile image
Wingnutty

I took it for 3 months, but it was expensive and I didn't notice any difference in my heart function. I have a mechanical valve and so I am on warfarin, but didn't notice any difference in INR either.

in reply to Wingnutty

Hi, Thank you for your reply, much appreciated.

Good to see that youre also on Warfarin.

Kind Regards

ILowe profile image
ILowe

I started taking it 6 weeks ago, for Heart Failure.

1/ It is expensive. I wanted a reputable supplier. Not everyone is listed in the price comparison sites. Try Asda and Tescos.

2/ It "may" influence Warfarin, and has the same rating as food on the drug interaction sites. I did an INR before I started and tested again a week later. In my case it made no difference.

3/ There are no standard doses, so I started small. Once started I upped it to 3 x 100mg. There is a strong suspicion that the benefits do not kick in at lower doses.

Filipiak KJ, Surma S, Romańczyk M, Okopień B. Heart Failure-Do We Need New Drugs or Have Them Already? A Case of Coenzyme Q10. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. 2022 May 16;9(5):161. doi: 10.3390/jcdd9050161. PMID: 35621872; PMCID: PMC9143244.

They also say that "because ubiquinol and ubiquinone are continually inter-converted within the body, the concept that ubiquinol supplements may somehow be more efficacious is incorrect."

It is often used with Selenium, though, again take care. Some people grow up in areas high in Selenium therefore a supplement is not needed, and this information probably needs to be researched first.

For a good summary see also: Cardiovascular Effects of Coenzyme Q10 by Alireza Ebrahimi, Soheil Ashkani-Esfahani, Sahar Hosseini, Majid Pakdin, Rohan Bhimani and Sedigheh Ebrahimi longdom.org/open-access/car...

4/ The capsules are not tiny. I read somewhere you can pierce the capsules [with your teeth] and eat the contents with some food.

5/ If you are taking a Statin, there is clear interaction, so you are strongly advised NOT to start until you have doctor approval.

6/ I decided to give it a try for a year in the hopes it would calm my AF and increase the Ejection Fraction of my heart.

in reply to ILowe

Hi, Thank you for your very concise and interesting points you make.

Kind Regards

am1875 profile image
am1875

My cardiologist said he wants me to stay on CoQ10 even though it affects INR. He wanted me to increase warfarin to offset the CoQ10 effect. Which I did. But always ask your cardiologist before considering anything.

Bump....

Asked my Cardiologist today about CoQ10, and he reckons it expensive, nothing proven about the supplement, and can cause problems if on Warfarin.

I don't think I'll bother!

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