Abstract
In common with many countries worldwide, the increasing incidence of heart failure is a concern in Vietnam. Contributing factors include an ageing population, changes in traditional diet, and the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes. Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis for heart failure patients in general remains poor. There is a need for additional therapeutic strategies to support patients with heart failure, which is a condition of myocardial energy starvation. Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like substance of relevance to normal heart function: firstly, by increasing cellular energy supply via its key role in the generation of ATP within mitochondria; secondly, by reducing free radical induced oxidative stress, a well-known marker of mortality in heart failure; thirdly, by reducing inflammation. In this article, we have reviewed the peer-reviewed medical literature relating to the potential role for supplementary coenzyme Q10 as a novel adjunct for the treatment or prevention of heart failure.
