Which supplements actually help your cardiovascular health? | Heart Smart

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - From fish oil to magnesium, supplements are a growing part of many people’s daily health routines. But which ones can actually benefit your heart?

That question is the focus of the second episode of Heart Smart, a monthly WTOC+ streaming show with Dr. Roy Flood on cardiovascular health.

Dr. Flood, an interventional cardiologist with SouthCoast Health in Savannah, discussed five supplements that could play a role in supporting cardiovascular health when used appropriately:

• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Apple cider vinegar
• Magnesium
• Creatine

One supplement at the top of his list is CoQ10, which is often recommended for people managing cholesterol.

“That is a supplement that is key to enhancing the body’s ability to break down cholesterol,” Dr. Flood said. “It’s an anti-inflammatory agent. It actually assists the body in helping the statins, which are a common cholesterol medication, do their job without causing a lot of side effects.”

Another favorite are omega-3 fatty acids, which are commonly found in fish oil supplements.

“Omega-3s do a lot for the body. They help work on lipid metabolism, so they will lower cholesterol. They also help with blood pressure control. They are anti-inflammatory agents, and they actually are very, very mild anti-platelet agents.”

Dr. Flood says omega-3s can support overall cardiovascular health by helping improve blood flow while also addressing several common heart disease risk factors.

Apple cider vinegar has also gained popularity in recent years. While some people use it for weight loss or digestive health, Dr. Flood says it may provide cardiovascular benefits as well.

“It’s very good at lowering blood pressure, has some effects on glucose metabolism - so blood sugar - and also helps with cholesterol lowering,” he said.

However, he cautions that apple cider vinegar should be diluted before consumption, recommending one or two tablespoons in a glass of water.

Magnesium is another supplement Dr. Flood discussed, noting that it plays an important role in many of the body’s normal functions.

“Deficiencies of magnesium can cause heart rhythm problems,” he said. “Having the appropriate amounts of magnesium in the bloodstream can actually help level out any heart rhythm issues. And there is some degree of blood pressure lowering with magnesium as well.”

The final supplement highlighted during the episode was creatine. While many people associate creatine with athletes and muscle building, Dr. Flood says it may also benefit certain heart patients.

“It is big in muscle building, but heart-healthy-wise, it is very useful in patients that have heart failure,” he said. “It enhances exercise tolerance, it improves functional capacity, and it actually works on the arterial level as well to improve flow through the arteries.”

Still, Dr. Flood emphasizes that supplements should do exactly what their name suggests: supplement an already healthy lifestyle.

“They are not replacements. They are there to enhance and build upon a good foundation. We always have to talk about proper diet, avoiding risk factors and getting that exercise in.”

The bottom line: some supplements may offer heart-health benefits, but they work best when combined with healthy habits and guidance from your healthcare provider.

Stream Heart Smart every month on WTOC+ or watch on demand here.