As a consultative cardiologist, Dr. Rigved Tadwalkar, MD, FACC, says supplements operate in the “wild west” of the health system.“When I prescribe a medication, I know exactly what’s in the bottle, how it’s manufactured and precisely how it interacts with the body because it has undergone years of rigorous, large-scale clinical trials,” he tells Parade.But Dr. Tadwalkar warns that supplements aren’t held to the same regulatory standards as medications. “Often, the marketing is driven by profit rather than peer-reviewed data,” he explains. “As a patient, you have to play detective, asking questions like: Who is selling this? What is their incentive? If it sounds like a miracle cure, it’s almost certainly marketing bravado rather than medical science.”Yet, if you’re one of the more than 20 million adults in the U.S. living with heart disease, it’s natural to want a cure. Unfortunately, supplements are also billed as “natural,” which Dr. Tadwalkar says doesn’t always mean “safe,” especially if you have or are at risk for heart disease.“Supplements can alter the metabolism of life-saving medications or add unnecessary strain to your system,” he explains. “We need to be careful that your ‘wellness’ routine isn’t quietly working against your heart prescriptions.”One trending supplement, billed as a tool for cardiovascular disease, may actually do more harm than good (or just no good at all). Four cardiologists agree that this supplement is mostly a waste of money for heart health, and that people taking statins need to be especially careful with it. Scroll on to learn more, including research-backed ways to protect your heart.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊This Supplement Is a Waste of Money for Heart Health, Cardiologists SayFour cardiologists agree that CoQ10 is generally a waste of money for heart health, even though it’s promoted as a miracle cure for cardiovascular disease, statin-related muscle pains and even aging (which, um, doesn’t need to be cured).“Despite the glowing marketing claims, the official stance from major medical organizations tells a different story,” Dr. Patrick Kee, MD, Ph.D, a cardiologist at Vital Heart & Vein, tells Parade. “The American Heart Association (AHA) explicitly states that CoQ10 remains ‘of uncertain value’ in heart failure management, and it does not replace standard, guideline-directed medical therapy.”If your algorithm hasn’t pushed TikTok videos promoting this supplement as a blanket fix for “all the things,” you may wonder: “Hey, what is CoQ10 anyway?”Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a naturally occurring antioxidant. Every cell in your body has it, says Dr. Ryan Kaple, MD,an interventional cardiologist and the director of the Structural & Congenital Heart Program at Hackensack University Medical Center.“It plays a crucial role in creating energy within your cells and protecting them from damage,” he says. “Think of it as a tiny spark plug for your cells’ engines. Your body produces CoQ10, but its levels can decrease with age or in people with certain conditions, like heart disease.”But that doesn’t mean CoQ10 supplements are a great way to reduce the risk of heart disease (or slow it). Unfortunately, though, that’s why people often one-click buy them. “Manufacturers heavily promote it with a ‘health halo,’” Dr. Kee points out. “It is widely sold under the premise that taking extra pills will naturally boost your heart’s pumping energy, slow down aging or magically shield your cardiovascular system.”Yet, cardiologists say the hype isn’t usually right here.Related: Cardiologists Are Begging People To Stop Pairing This Common Supplement With Blood Pressure MedicationThe Truth About CoQ10 and Heart HealthDr. Kaple warns that CoQ10 can interfere with blood thinners, including warfarin, and could lower blood sugar, a potential concern for people taking diabetes medications (Remember: people with diabetes are more likely to live with heart disease, too). Lack of oversight is also a problem.“You can’t always be sure of the quality or dosage of the supplement you’re taking,” Dr. Kaple warns.However, Dr. Tadwalkar is generally less concerned with toxicity than with the opportunity cost. “Many patients spend time and money chasing a supplement that doesn’t move the needle, potentially delaying the lifestyle changes or evidence-based treatments that actually save lives,” he explains.For instance, there’s some anecdotal evidence that CoQ10 helps some people on statins with muscle aches. “But clinical trials have been largely neutral,” Dr. Tadwalkar clarifies. “It’s not a dangerous interaction, but it’s rarely the fix people hope it is.”Another cardiologist agrees. “There are some studies that have demonstrated some mild cardiac benefits,” states Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, the chair of internal medicine at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU. “These, however, are significantly outweighed by the time you invest in optimizing your nutrition, daily exercise, restful sleep and socialization.”Related: ‘I’m a Cardiologist—Here’s How To Know When You Should Go on Blood Pressure Medication’When CoQ10 May Be HelpfulDr. Kaple doesn’t recommend CoQ10 for most of his patients but says the supplement might have a place in some holistic treatment plans. Dr. Kaple shares that times when CoQ10 might be considered include:True CoQ10 deficiency (very rare)Heart failure, along with standard medical treatments (“This is not a replacement for proven therapies,” Dr. Kaple emphasizes.) Importantly, Dr. Kaple stresses these plans should always stem from “consultation with a doctor.”Related: Cardiologists Are Begging People To Stop Pairing This Common Supplement With Blood Thinners3 Ways To Improve Your Heart Health That Aren’t CoQ10 SupplementsThere’s no one-size-fits-all prescription for better heart health. Instead, cardiologists recommend starting with lifestyle changes. Below, they detail three effective ways to improve your heart health with more backing than CoQ10.1. Adopt a heart-healthy dietDr. Kaple recommends following a diet plan that prioritizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats, such as the Mediterranean or DASH eating plans. These diets also minimize intake of processed foods, saturated and trans fats, added sugars and sodium. Dr. Kaple shares that these eating plans can help you keep your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure in check and lower your risk of chronic conditions that can strain the heart.Want to get some CoQ10 the “food-first” way?“The most heart-healthy source is oily fish like salmon, char, trout or mackerel,” shares Dr. Sathyamoorthy. “For vegetarians and vegans, [try] walnuts, tofu, cauliflower and soybeans.”2. Log exerciseDr. Kaple suggests aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, like brisk walking, swimming or cycling, each week. Moderate-intensity simply means your heart rate goes up, but you can still carry on a conversation.“Exercise strengthens your heart muscle, improves circulation, helps control your weight, and can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol,” Dr. Kaple says.Speaking of strength, don’t forget to add at least two resistance-training exercises to your regimen each week. “There is a massive misconception that heart health equals hours on the treadmill, but lifting weights improves insulin sensitivity and lowers blood pressure,” Dr. Tadwalkar adds.3. Prioritize sleepYour heart, mind and whole body will thank you. “Deep, restorative sleep gives your heart a necessary rest period, lowers your baseline heart rate and regulates stress hormones that can otherwise trigger inflammation and hypertension over time,” Dr. Kee reports.Up Next:Related: We Asked 4 Nutrition Experts the Best Dinner To Eat To Lower Blood Pressure and They All Said the Same ThingSources:Dr. Ryan Kaple, MD, an interventional cardiologist and the director of the Structural & Congenital Heart Program at Hackensack University Medical CenterCardiovascular Statistics in the United States, 2026: JACC Stats. JACC.Complementary and Alternative Medicines in the Management of Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on statin-associated myalgia and adherence to statin therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Atherosclerosis.Coenzyme Q10 supplementation for prophylaxis in adult patients with migraine—a meta-analysis. BMJ Open. This story was originally published by Parade on Aug 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Health & Wellness section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
