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Cardiac atrophy may occur as the result of a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, certain medications, chronic diseases, or the aging process. Fortunately, the market offers a range of supplement ingredients that may help boost heart health.

Your heart is an extraordinary organ that has the critical task of pumping blood throughout your body. Made of cardiac muscle, your heart contracts and relaxes without your conscious awareness, pumping an average of 2,000 gallons of blood daily! Over a 70-year lifetime, the average heart beats more than 2.5 billion times, making it the hardest-working muscle in your body.

Like skeletal muscle, the heart can experience hypertrophy (growth) or atrophy (size reduction). Cardiac atrophy is a serious condition characterized by a decrease in the size of the heart muscle, which can lead to heart failure and other complications.

Cardiac atrophy can be caused by a complex interplay of multiple factors, including underlying medical conditions such as heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, viral infections, or anorexia. Other possible causes include:

• Anticancer therapies, such as chemotherapy
• Left ventricular assist device placement
• Aging
• Sudden weight loss 
• Malnutrition
• Extensive bed rest
• Lack of physical activity

Over time, cardiac atrophy can reduce the heart muscle’s size and strength, ultimately impacting the organ’s ability to pump blood efficiently. Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the condition and may include the following:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dizziness

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Lifestyle changes, supplementation, and cardiac atrophy

In order to prevent or slow down cardiac atrophy, it’s essential to engage in regular physical activity, eat a healthy diet, manage any underlying medical conditions, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Additionally, there are several supplements worth exploring that may help promote overall heart health.

A meta-analysis published in JACC (Journal of The American College of Cardiology) on December 5, 2002, provides strong evidence that supplementing with certain micronutrients may benefit cardiovascular health. Researchers systematically reviewed 884 studies on micronutrient supplements, including 27 different types of antioxidant supplements, and analyzed the data. More than 883,000 patients were involved in the combined studies.

5 Science-backed supplements for heart health that may help manage cardiac atrophy

We chose these five supplements because current research verifies their contributions to heart health. Four of the supplements are from the JACC meta-analysis: magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, and Coenzyme Q10. The fifth is a newer form of CoQ10 called Mitoquinol Mesylate (MitoQ).

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. A 2018 study found that magnesium supplementation may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study also found that those with the highest magnesium levels had a lower risk of heart failure and stroke.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are polyunsaturated fats found in fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna. According to this study, omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce the risk of heart disease. The JCAA meta-analysis states that omega-3 fatty acids are explicitly shown to decrease CVD (cardiovascular disease) mortality.

Folic Acid is a B vitamin necessary for cell growth and metabolism. It has been shown to improve cardiovascular health by reducing homocysteine levels, an amino acid associated with an increased risk of heart disease. The JCAA meta-analysis confirms that folic acid supplementation can decrease stroke risk.

Coenzyme Q10, commonly known as CoQ10, is a natural compound found in every cell of your body. It helps cells produce energy and has antioxidant properties that also protect them. Many cardiologists recommend their patients take CoQ10, which may assist in the following:

• Improving symptoms of congestive heart failure
• Protecting the heart from further heart attacks
• Reducing blood pressure
• Reducing symptoms from taking statins (according to a study published in the Journal of American Heart Association)
• Stimulating the immune system
• Protecting the heart from being damaged by certain chemotherapy medicines

The JACC meta-analysis found that CoQ10 decreased “all-cause mortality events,” meaning that those who took the supplement were less likely to die from any cause during the study period compared to a control group or the same group before the intervention.

Although your body naturally produces CoQ10, its levels may decline due to various factors, including age, medications, chronic disease, chronic stress, or genetics.

Mitoquinol mesylate, or MitoQ, is a bioengineered form of CoQ10 that is modified and specifically designed to target mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles inside cells. MitoQ’s patented targeted delivery process gives it several advantages over traditional CoQ10 supplements, including:

• Faster absorption rate
• More potent antioxidant activity
• Improved bioavailability

Over 700 independent research papers, including 15 clinical trials, have been published on MitoQ. A 2018 clinical study published in the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Journal suggests that targeting mitochondria with antioxidants may effectively combat cardiovascular aging. The study concluded that older adults who took MitoQ saw the aging of their blood vessels reverse by the equivalent of 15 to 20 years, and their vascular health improved by 42 percent.

MitoQ Pure is manufactured by MitoQ Limited, based in Auckland, New Zealand. Since its inception, MitoQ has been a research-driven company. CEO Mahara Inglis encourages independent research, stating, “We foster only open and independent science, so all MitoQ donated to research studies is provided free and with absolutely no strings attached.” You can learn more about the science behind MitoQ on their website: MitoQ’s science – how the modified CoQ10 works.

Lifestyle choices + Supplementation = a winning combination for your heart health

Taking supplements that are supported by scientific research may significantly improve your heart health and help mitigate the effects of cardiac atrophy and other forms of cardiovascular disease. However, to maximize the benefits of supplements, it’s essential to combine them with heart-healthy lifestyle habits, such as:

• Regular exercise to strengthen the heart muscle and improve blood flow.
• A healthy diet rich in nutrients and antioxidants to help prevent disease and damage to heart tissue and blood vessels.
• Adequate sleep that allows for repair and regeneration.

Taking care of your hard-working heart is one of the best things you can do to increase your chances of living a long and healthy life.

For Further Research:

National Toxicology Program U. S. Dept of Health & Human Services – Heart – Atrophy – Nonneoplastic Lesion Atlas

Springer Link – The common mechanism of the heart’s adaptation and deadaptation: hypertrophy and atrophy of the heart muscle

Journal of the American College of Cardiology – The common mechanism of the heart’s adaptation and deadaptation: hypertrophy and atrophy of the heart muscle | SpringerLinkutrient Supplementation to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk

Journal of the American College of Cardiology – Cardiac Atrophy After Bed-Rest Deconditioning | Circulation

Research Horizons – Cardiac Atrophy Findings May Set Course for Preventing Harm from Long Space Flights

Frontiers in Physiology – Mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant supplementation for improving age-related vascular dysfunction in humans: A study protocol

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers – Molecular Strategies for Targeting Antioxidants to Mitochondria: Therapeutic Implications

Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.

Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.