Put your hand on your heart. How’s it doing in there? For too many women, the answer is, “Not so good.” Despite the fact that we try to eat right, exercise and watch our weight, heart disease is still the number-one killer of women in America.

What are we doing wrong? For one thing, we’re not getting enough of the nutrients that our hearts need to stay healthy. “Much of our food is depleted of life-sustaining vitamins and minerals,” explained integrative cardiologist Patrick M. Fratellone, MD. “That’s why many people can benefit from specific supplements — whether their goal is to prevent heart disease or to minimize harm from the particular cardiovascular risk factors they already have.”

Here’s how the various heart-healthy supplements work… and the protocols Dr. Fratellone typically recommends based on patients’ particular risk factors. Important: Check with your doctor before beginning any supplement regimen. Some supplements can interact with other supplements or medications and/or cause side effects for people with certain medical conditions.

HOW THE HEART HELPERS WORK

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), the energy generator of all cells, enhances the heart’s pumping ability. Caution: CoQ10 may decrease the effectiveness of blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin.

Folic acid, a B vitamin, helps prevent the formation of homocysteine, an amino acid that damages artery linings. Caution: Avoid folic acid supplementation if you have a history of cancer.

Hawthorn, an herb, may strengthen heart contractions and reduce blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. Caution: Don’t use hawthorn if you have low blood pressure or take a beta-blocker or calcium channel blocker medication.

L-carnitine, an amino acid, increases the heart’s pumping action… and may facilitate weight loss by increasing metabolism. Caution: Don’t use L-carnitine if you have kidney disease.

L-taurine, another amino acid, dilates blood vessels, improves blood flow and helps reduce blood pressure. Caution: L-taurine may not be appropriate if you take diuretic medication or have stomach ulcers.

Magnesium regulates blood pressure and heart rate. Caution: Don’t take magnesium if your blood pressure is already low.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, increase HDL (good) cholesterol… decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides… slow plaque buildup in arteries… reduce the risk for arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat)… and reduce blood pressure.

Vitamin B-12 inhibits harmful homocysteine formation. Use a methylated form of B-12, since 40% of pateitns have a methylation problem (MTHFR) and cannot absorb B-12 if it is not methylated.

Vitamin D-3 helps prevent inflammation… reduces heart attack and stroke risk in people with high blood pressure… and may protect against heart failure.

Next step: To make use of the information above, you need to know which specific nutrients are most beneficial for you— and that depends on your personal health status.

TO PREVENT HEART PROBLEMS…

Below is Dr. Fratellone’s heart-protecting supplement protocol (to be taken daily, continuing indefinitely) for the typical perimenopausal or postmenopausal woman who has not been diagnosed with any condition that increases cardiovascular risk. Ask your doctor if you should take any or all of these five supplements. If you take a multivitamin, check which of the nutrients below your multi already provides.

Preventive protocol…

  • CoQ10 — 100 mg daily.
  • Magnesium — 350 mg daily.
  • Omega-3s (in the form of fish oil) — 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg daily of combined EPA and DHA, the most beneficial components.
  • Vitamin B-12 — 1,000 micrograms (mcg) daily.
  • Vitamin D-3 — 1,000 international units (IU) daily.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY AT RISK…

You may benefit from additional protection if you have a condition that increases cardiovascular risk. Dr. Fratellone said that it is generally advisable to continue taking the five supplements above, though in some cases, a higher dosage is appropriate (as detailed below)… and to consider additional supplements (observing the aforementioned cautions), depending on an individual’s particular health problem.

Ask your doctor about modifying your regimen as follows if you have…

Atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmia

  • Hawthorn (extract ratio 1:2) — 20 drops mixed with water three times daily.
  • Magnesium — increase to 500 mg daily.
  • Omega-3s — increase to 1,000 mg three times daily.

Congestive heart failure

  • Hawthorn (extract ratio 1:2) — 20 drops mixed with water three times daily.
  • Vitamin D-3 — increase to 2,000 IU daily.

Coronary artery disease

  • Folic acid — 1,000 mcg daily.
  • L-carnitine — 1,000 mg three times daily.
  • L-taurine — 500 mg three time daily.
  • Omega-3s — increase to 1,000 mg three times daily.

Diabetes

  • CoQ10 — increase to 100 mg three times daily.
  • L-carnitine — 1,000 mg three times daily.
  • Magnesium — increase to 500 mg daily.

Excess weight (body mass index of 25 or higher)

  • L-carnitine — 1,000 mg three times daily.

High blood pressure

  • L-taurine — 500 mg three times daily.
  • Magnesium — increase to 500 mg daily.
  • Omega-3s — increase to 1,000 mg three times daily.
  • Vitamin D-3 — increase to 2,000 IU daily.

High cholesterol

  • CoQ10 — increase to 100 mg three times daily.
  • L-taurine — 500 mg three times daily.
  • Omega-3s — increase to 1,000 mg three times daily.

High homocysteine

  • Folic acid — 1,000 mcg daily.

High triglycerides

  • CoQ10 — increase to 100 mg twice daily.
  • Omega-3s — increase to 1,000 mg three times daily.