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Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the U.S. So doing all you can to take care of your heart is vital.

A healthy diet is crucial. But is there a role for extra vitamins and supplements?

You may wonder:

• How can I strengthen my heart?
• Which vitamins are best for your heart?
• Which vitamin improves cardiac function?

Here’s a look at the research and recommendations for nutrients and supplements that can protect your heart.

What Causes Heart Disease?

Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, involves conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. It happens when plaque, a fatty substance, builds up in your arteries and blocks blood flow to your heart or brain. Heart disease can also cause an irregular heartbeat, heart valve problems, or heart failure.

The American Heart Association estimates that more than 48% of adults have some form of cardiovascular disease. If untreated, it can cause a heart attack, stroke, or death.

These risk factors increase your risk of heart disease:

• Diabetes.
• A family history.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Kidney disease.
• Obesity.
• Older age.
• Smoking.

What Vitamins Are Best for Your Heart?

Vitamins and minerals are essential for all of your organs to function, including your heart. Most people can get the vitamins they need by eating a healthy diet with a variety of whole foods.

Taking vitamins or other nutrition supplements won’t prevent a heart attack or stroke. But some may reduce certain risk factors and help keep your body and heart healthy. These vitamins and nutrients may benefit your heart’s health:

Vitamin D

This vitamin helps regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy blood vessels. People with low vitamin D levels face a higher risk of heart disease. However, research shows that taking high doses of vitamin D doesn’t prevent heart attack or stroke.

You can get vitamin D from exposure to the sun and foods like egg yolks, fortified milk, and salmon. Living in a colder climate where you spend less time outside in the sunshine can also affect your vitamin D levels.

Adults under 70 should get at least 600 international units (IU) or 15 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D daily. Those over 70 should aim for 800 IU (20 mcg). Ask your doctor or dietitian if you need a supplement.

B vitamins

B vitamins, especially folic acid (vitamin B9), vitamin B6, and B12, are essential for healthy blood cells, blood vessels, and nerve function. They can also reduce homocysteine, a substance that builds up in your blood and can damage your arteries.

Research suggests that supplementing with these B vitamins can support heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. You can also get more of these vitamins through your diet.

• Folic acid comes from chickpeas, kidney beans, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, and fruits.
• Vitamin B6 is high in chickpeas, fish, poultry, bananas, and potatoes.
• Vitamin B12 comes from fish, meat, poultry, dairy foods, eggs, and nutritional yeast.

Magnesium

This mineral helps regulate your heart rhythm, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Research on magnesium and heart disease shows that it can help reduce risk by promoting healthy blood pressure and blood sugar.

Magnesium is widespread in a healthy diet, but many people still don’t get enough. The best food sources of magnesium include:

• Beans.
• Nuts and nut butter.
• Seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
• Spinach.
• Whole grains like brown rice, shredded wheat, and oats.

Men should get about 420 milligrams of magnesium daily, and women should aim for 320 milligrams.

What Are Other Supplements for Heart Health?

Though the following supplements aren’t vitamins or minerals, they may promote heart health and improve cardiac function.

• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). This antioxidant supports energy production in your heart cells, protects your heart from oxidative damage, and may improve your blood pressure. Your body produces CoQ10, but you make less as you age and if you take certain cholesterol-lowering medicines.
• Fiber. Fiber can promote heart health by reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol levels. Fruits, vegetables, beans, oats, and barley are excellent sources of fiber. Aim for 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily by eating more plant foods and taking a fiber supplement if necessary.
• Plant sterols. These supplements contain plant compounds that help reduce cholesterol levels by blocking cholesterol absorption from foods. You can get more plant sterols from fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, wheat germ, or a supplement.
• Omega-3 fatty acids. Also known as fish oil, these may reduce your heart disease risk by lowering triglyceride levels and blood pressure. In people with heart disease, fish oil supplements may decrease the risk of heart attack or stroke.

What Are Potential Problems with Supplements?

You should never rely on supplements to replace medication or a healthy diet. Doing so may cause more harm than good. Instead, supplements should fill in any gaps and complement your diet.

Also, not all supplements are safe to take. Some can interfere with medications, certain health conditions, or other supplements. But getting more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, or other nutrients from a healthy diet is almost always safe and often more effective.

The FDA does not regulate supplements. Their purity and potency can vary, so you may not get a consistent amount or what you expect.

Talk to your doctor or dietitian before adding vitamins or other supplements to your routine for heart health. They can recommend the most effective ones, the best amounts, and which to avoid.

How Can I Strengthen My Heart?

Experts agree that the best way to protect your heart is by reducing your risk factors where possible. This includes:

• Eating a healthy diet. Focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, fatty fish, and healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, and seeds. Limit highly processed packaged and fast foods and those with added sugar.
• Exercising regularly. Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your heart. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.
• Getting seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night. Poor sleep quality and duration increase your risk of heart disease. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day.
• Managing stress. Chronic stress can take a toll on your heart and other aspects of your health. Practice stress-reducing activities daily, such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, exercising outside, or hobbies you enjoy.
• Quit smoking and vaping. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease.

Your health care team is the best resource for advice on ways to stay heart-healthy. Contact them if you need advice or support.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on January 10, 2025, and was last reviewed on December 18, 2025.