CoQ10 & Heart Palpitations

Heart palpitations can be benign or they can be a warning sign or symptom of a serious underlying disease. Depending on the cause of your heart palpitations, taking CoQ10 may help, however to be safe make sure you talk to your doctor first. CoQ10 may not be appropriate for your particular situation and there may be unwanted side effects.

Heart palpitation is a general term that describes sensations that your pulse is racing, pounding, skipping beats and these feelings can occur in the chest or throat. The first step in treatment is to determine the underlying cause. This can include anxiety, stress, a side effect of a medication, heart disease, thyroid disease, smoking, caffeine and many other conditions, says MedlinePlus. Once you know the underlying cause, you and your doctor can determine if CoQ10 can help.

If your heart palpitations are accompanied by dizziness, confusion, light-headededness, trouble breathing or fainting spells you may have a serious heart condition. If there is a problem with the heart muscle or one of its valves your heart may not be able to keep a normal rhythm, notes Cleveland Clinic. Existing heart disease such as high blood pressure or heart failure can contribute to palpitations as well. Your doctor can run tests to determine if heart disease exists, which may require medical treatment along with taking CoQ10.

CoQ10 or coenzyme Q10 is a substance that your cells naturally make. It helps your body produce energy, it is involved in making protein, it must be present for your muscles to contact properly and it has antioxidant properties. While more research is needed, taking CoQ10 may help to reduce the risk of some forms of heart disease that can contribute to palpitations, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. This includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes that can damage the blood vessels. CoQ10 is beneficial due to its antioxidant properties, which may prevent damage to the blood vessel walls and the fact that it inhibits the blood from clotting. A general goal is to take approximately 30 to 200 mg daily but your physician can recommend the proper dosage.

CoQ10 is considered generally safe and side effects are rare. However, you may experience nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, loss of appetite, skin itching, rash, insomnia, headache, dizziness, itching, irritability, increased light sensitivity of the eyes, fatigue, or flu-like symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com. CoQ10 may lower blood sugar levels and increase the risk of bleeding so it should only be used under medical supervision. CoQ10 may also interact with other herbal, over-the-counter or prescription medications you may be taking.