High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a significant risk factor for heart disease, and it can potentially cause other health issues such as kidney disease, heart attack or a stroke. The Centers for Disease Control reports that high blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause of death for 326,000 Americans in 2006. CoQ10 has been shown to assist with lowering blood pressure.
Definition
High blood pressure is defined as having a blood pressure reading of 140 over 90 or higher, according to the American Heart Association. A blood pressure reading below 120 over 80 mmHg is considered optimal for adults. A systolic pressure of 120 to 139 mmHg or a diastolic pressure of 80 to 89 mmHg is indicates prehypertension.
Effect of CoQ10
CoQ10 is thought to have a variety of potential roles in lowering high blood pressure. A study published in the 2009 journal "Pharmacology and Therapeutics" describes CoQ10's ability to lower the viscosity of the blood. As this happens, the resistance of blood flow is reduced, allowing blood to flow easily and thus lowering blood pressure. Additionally CoQ10 seems to widen blood vessels, creating more space for blood to flow. As an antioxidant, CoQ10 destroys some molecules that prevent blood vessels from relaxing, thus reducing blood pressure.
Research
A study in the April 2007 "Journal of Human Hypertension" assessed the effects of CoQ10 for high blood pressure. The researchers assessed 12 clinical trials of CoQ10 and high blood pressure. It was discovered that CoQ10 could lower systolic blood pressure by up to 17 mmHg and diastolic by up to 10 mmHg without significant side effects. Another study in the August 2008 "Journal of Health Sciences" described a female patient with high blood pressure who had been taking blood pressure medications for five years. Despite the medication, her blood pressure would not improve. She began to supplement with CoQ10 for a month. After the month, her blood pressure had normalized and she quit taking the blood pressure medication.
Sources
CoQ10 is found in organ meats, whole grains and oily fish. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) explains that most people obtain adequate CoQ10 if they are eating a diet with variety. If this is not the case, a supplement of CoQ10 may be needed. CoQ10 comes in oral sprays, soft capsules, hard capsules and oral sprays. The UMMC recommends a dose of 30 to 200 mg of CoQ10 daily for healthy adults over the age of 19. Always discuss supplementation with a physician before taking any.
References
- Center for Disease Control: High Blood Pressure Facts
- American Heart Association: Blood Pressure
- "Journal of Human Hypertension"; Coenzyme Q10 in the Treatment of Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of the Clinical Trials; F. Rosenfeldt, et al.; 2007
- "Pharmacology and Therapeutics"; Role of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in Cardiac Disease, Hypertension and Meniere-like Syndrome; Adarsh Kumar, et al.;2009
- "Journal of Health Sciences"; Can CoQ10 Lead to Improvement of Essential Hypertension: A Long-term Case Study; Ikuko Kimura, et al.;2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Coenzyme Q10
