Recent research looked at the effect that coenzyme Q10 supplementation had on patients with heart failure. The heart contains high levels of coenzyme Q 10 and these levels are found to be lower in people suffering from congestive heart failure. According to an article appearing in The Lancet (1998;352(Suppl. 1):39-41) notes that the incidence of heart failure has dramatically increased in the last three or four decades. The prevalence of heart failure has increased by 70% between 1990 and 2000.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study appearing in the European Heart Journal (2006 November;27(22):2675-81) had 23 subjects with stable, chronic heart failure. The study had four phases. In the first phase the subjects were given 300 mg of CoQ10 per day. In phase two, they received the supplement and supervised exercise training. In the third phase they received a placebo and in the final phase they received exercise training along with the placebo.
The researchers found that the CoQ10 supplementation improved the ability of cardiac arteries to dilate. It also improved the contractility of the left ventricle and generally improved the heart’s functional capacity. The benefits of the supplementation were enhanced by exercise. This supports earlier studies. Coenzyme Q10 has been shown to be of value in patients with heart failure according to earlier research appearing in the journal Biofactors (2006; 25(1-4): 137-45) and the European Heart Journal (August 1, 2000).