The Best Heart Health Supplements—Plus a ‘Risky’ One To Think Twice About

We all want to support our cardiovascular health the best way we can, and after diet and exercise, supplements seem like a natural next step. So what are the best heart health supplements? We turned to a leading cardiologist to learn just that—along with the one supplement that comes with a note of caution and needs the right supporting nutrients to truly benefit your heart.

How supplements support heart health

When it comes to lowering high cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart attacks or strokes, our first line of defense is always dietary, notes Suzanne Steinbaum, DO, preventive cardiologist and founder and CEO of Adesso, a med-tech company that empowers women to live healthy and vital lives.

She recommends a heart-healthy diet full of vegetables, legumes, healthy fats like olive oil and whole grains. So what role do supplements play? “They support a healthy lifestyle, but they don’t play the primary role—that’s essential to understand,” she says, adding that supplements can help prevent problems, but “once you have heart disease, it’s critical to take medication.”

Now that supplements are in their proper context—the supporting cast in your health journey, not the main players—Dr. Steinbaum says there are a few supplements she recommends for a healthy heart.

8 best heart health supplements

Dr. Steinbaum suggests the following heart-healthy supplements at the recommended daily dosages. As always, consult your doctor before starting any new supplement.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 is one of the most interesting heart health supplements because it does so many things in the body, she notes.“It decreases cholesterol and triglycerides, and it’s anti-inflammatory. So omega-3 is essential, in my opinion, especially for prevention of cardiovascular issues.”

One important caveat: Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid, meaning we only get it from food—our body doesn’t make it. “We can actually check omega-3 levels in our body, and if we’re getting enough from food, we don’t need a supplement,” Dr. Steinbaum explains. “But if your levels are low, you can start at a dose of approximately 1000 mg a day, and see if your levels improve.”

Fiber

“Fiber is so helpful—it decreases cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar,” Dr. Steinbaum points out. She adds that ideally we would be getting fiber from foods such as vegetables and fruits like apples with the skin on. “But if you’re falling short, there are fiber supplements that can help increase your intake.” We need 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily, so consider taking a psyillium fiber supplement, like Metamucil, to help hit that mark.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is found in the mitochondria, the energy powerhouses of the cells, Dr. Steinbaum explains. “Statins are actually known to deplete CoQ10 levels, so I do recommend it for people who are on a statin. It can prevent the side effect of muscle aches that certain people experience. Some evidence shows that at high doses, it can help with energy production and support heart function.” To reap the benefits, consider taking at least 90 to 200 mg of a CoQ10 supplement daily.

Resveratrol

This is an antioxidant found in the skin of grapes. “For years, we’ve known it’s incredibly helpful as an antioxidant, but the challenge is you’d need about 30 bottles of wine to get a therapeutic dose,” Dr. Steinbaum acknowledges. “That’s why I recommend a highly concentrated form. When we take it in a high enough potency, a form of resveratrol—piceid resveratrol—can help dilate the arteries and increases nitric oxide, which is crucial for cardiovascular health.”

“I especially love this supplement for women as they age and go through menopause, because arteries often get stiff during that time, and highly concentrated piceid resveratrol can help reverse that process,” she adds. To get a highly concentrated dose (400 mg resveratrol per capsule), Dr. Steinbaum recommends VINIA Resveratrol Capsules, noting that she is affiliated with the brand.

Berberine

The plant compound helps with sugar metabolism, and that’s important for heart health because too much blood sugar can lead to insulin resistance, which causes inflammation and plaque formation, Dr. Steinbaum explains. As a bonus, berberine can also decrease LDL cholesterol. Aim for 900 to 1,500 mg of berberine per day.

Curcumin

A powerful anti-inflammatory (and the active ingredient in the spice turmeric), curcumin makes Dr. Steinbaum’s list of top supplements for its ability to tame inflammation and support heart health by reducing oxidative stress. To get the cardiovascular benefits, aim to take 500 mg to 2,000 mg of curcumin per day.Start with a lower dose and work your way up, or consult your doctor for personalized guidance.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a really interesting supplement because it works on the electrolytes in the heart and can actually help prevent heart palpitations and arrhythmias, says Dr. Steinbaum. “It can slow the heart rate down a little bit. It’s been advertised as a sleep aid, and while I’m not sure it’s necessarily a sleep aid, it can definitely calm your heart and prevent extra heartbeats, which people often feel at night.” Aim for 310 to 320 mg of magnesium daily.

Citrus bergamot

The Italian orange has been shown to help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, Dr. Steinbaum says, which is why it earned a spot on our list of the best heart health supplements. Aim for 500 mg to 1,500 mg of extract daily. Dr. Steinbaum recommends NAOMI Citrus Bergamot.

The heart health supplement that deserves a note of caution

You may have heard that calcium supplementation is controversial for heart health. “This has been debated for decades, and the reality is many people assume more is better, but that’s not the case with calcium,” says Dr. Steinbaum. “High-dose supplements can cause spikes in blood calcium levels, which may promote inflammation and potentially worsen cardiovascular disease.”

“Some research suggests this risk may begin around 1,000 mg of calcium or more, and we’ve long known that exceeding 1,200 mg is too much,” she adds. “Another key issue is that calcium needs to be taken with vitamin D for proper metabolism. Without it, calcium may deposit in the arteries instead of the bones.”

She points to research in postmenopausal women showing that calcium supplementation without the right supporting nutrients may be problematic. The takeaway: If you need bone support, work with your doctor to determine the best approach to minimize potentially harmful side effects—whether that’s getting calcium from food, pairing supplements with vitamin D or considering other options.

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This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 8:30 PM.