Coenzyme Q10 looks promising for high blood pressure, but more research is needed.  However, it is 3 for 3 in double-blind studies, is inexpensive, and has few side-effects.  It may be a valuable treatment for a common disease.

CoQ10 Appears Helpful in Meta-Analysis: In a meta-analysis of 12 clinical trials (362 patients) comprising three randomized controlled trials, one crossover study and eight open label studies using CoQ10, in the randomized controlled trials (n=120), systolic blood pressure in the treatment group was 168 mm Hg before, and 1518 mm Hg after treatment, a decrease of 16.6 (P<0.001) mm Hg, with no significant change in the placebo group. Diastolic blood pressure in the treatment group was 103 mm Hg before, and 95 mm Hg after treatment (P<0.001) mm Hg, with no significant change in the placebo group. In the crossover study (n=18), systolic blood pressure decreased by 11 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 8 mm Hg (P<0.001) with no significant change with placebo. In the open label studies (n=214), mean systolic blood pressure was 162 mm Hg before, and 149 mm Hg after treatment, a decrease of 13.5 (P<0.001) mm Hg. Mean diastolic blood pressure was 97 mm Hg before, and 87 mm Hg after treatment, a decrease of 10.3 (P<0.001) mm Hg. Coenzyme Q(10) in the treatment of hypertension: a meta-analysis of the clinical trials. Rosenfeldt FL, et al. Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Journal of Human Hypertension, 8 February 2007. 

CoQ10 Appears to Help in Open Trial: 109 patients were treated in an open study. 51% were able eliminate 1 to 3 BP meds. CoQ10 at an average of 225 mg/d was given with the goal blood level over 2 microg/ml. Only 1 dropped out. Treatment of essential hypertension with coenzyme Q10. Several patients with improved left ventricular function. Langsjoen P, Langsjoen P, Willis R, Folkers K. U Tx. Mol Aspects Med 1994;15 Suppl:s165-75. The same authors report treating 424 patients with CoQ10 75-600mg/d (aver. 242) depending on whether they were improving. One patient with transient nausea only side-effect. Usefulness of coenzyme Q10 in clinical cardiology: a long-term study. 58% improved heart functioning on NYHA scale. Langsjoen H, Langsjoen P, Langsjoen P, Willis R, Folkers K. Ed: Because these are open trial studies, no conclusions can be drawn, but in view of the very large number of patients, the results are worth pursuing. Still, the authors should have done DB PC studies.

CoQ10 Helped in DB: In a DB PC study of 83 men and women with isolated systolic HBP, half were treated for 12 weeks with CoQ10 60 mg twice a day and had a 17 mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure.  Idaho VA. There was minor GI discomfort and minors increases in LDH and SGOT as has been reported elsewhere. Lower oxidation of LDL cholesterol and CoQ10 can regenerate vitamin E. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in isolated systolic hypertension. Burke BE, Neuenschwander R, Olson RD. South Med J 2001 Nov;94(11):1112-7. 

CoQ10 Helped in DB: 59 patients in DB PC study for 8 weeks were given CoQ10 60 mg twice a day. It lowered both systolic and diastolic BP in hypertensive patients already on meds. It also raised HDL good cholesterol, vitamins A, C, and E, lowered glucose, fasting and 2-hour insulin and triglycerides. J Hum Hypertens 1999 Mar;13(3):203-8. Effect of hydrosoluble coenzyme Q10 on blood pressures and insulin resistance in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease. Singh RB, Niaz MA, Rastogi SS, Shukla PK, Thakur AS. India. 

HBP and DM: CoQ10 Helped in DB: In a DB PC 12-week study, patients were given CoQ10 100 mg b.i.d. of placebo. CoQ10 increased a.m. CoQ10 blood levels by 300%, decreased systolic BP by 6 mmHg, and decreased HbA(1c). Univ W Australia. Coenzyme Q10 improves blood pressure and glycaemic control: a controlled trial in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Hodgson JM, Watts GF, Playford DA, Burke V, Croft KD. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002 Nov;56(11):1137-42

Increased CoQ10 Associated with Metabolic Syndrome: In 223 adults (28-78 years), after adjusting for age, sex and race, researchers found that total CoQ, ubiquinol and CRP levels are significantly increased in metabolic syndrome. Comparison of minimal risk and high-risk metabolic syndrome groups indicates an increased CoQ redox ratio in the high risk group (p<0.05). Step-wise logistic regression analysis, using age, sex, race, (ln)CRP, total cholesterol, LDL, ubiquinol, ubiquinone and total CoQ as predictors, shows that only age (p=0.001), total CoQ adjusted for plasma lipids (p<0.0001) and (ln)CRP (p<0.005) were significant predictors of metabolic syndrome. Coenzyme Q10 changes are associated with metabolic syndrome. Miles MV, Morrison JA, Horn PS, Tang PH, Pesce AJ. University of Cincinnati, Clin Chim Acta. 2004 Jun;344(1-2):173-9

Hypertension: CoQ10 Helps HBP in DB: In a 59 patient DB PC 8-week study of 60 mg twice a day, CoQ10 lowered systolic and diastolic BP in hypertensive patients already on meds. It also raised HDL "good cholesterol," and vitamins A, C, and E. It lowered glucose, fasting and 2 hour insulin and triglycerides. Effect of hydrosoluble coenzyme Q10 on blood pressures and insulin resistance in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease. Singh RB, Niaz MA, et al. India. J Hum Hypertens 1999 Mar;13(3):203-8.; Also, Digiesi V, Cantini F, Brodbeck B. Effect of coenzyme Q10 on essential arterial hypertension. Curr Ther Res 1990;47:841–5; Digiesi V, Cantini F, Oradei A, et al. Coenzyme Q10 in essential hypertension. Molec Aspects Med 1994;15 Suppl:s257–63.

Hypertension: CoQ10 Helps After Heart Attack in DB: In a DB PC study of 144 patients started on CoQ10 at 120 mg/day within 3 days of a heart attack, there were large decreases in angina (10% vs. 28%), total arrhythmias (10% vs. 25%), poor left ventricular function (8% vs. 22%) and total cardiac events (15% vs. 31%) over next 28 days. Lipid peroxidases, malondialdehyde, and diene conjugates, all indicators of oxidative stress, were lower with Q10. Vitamins A, C, E, and beta-carotene were all higher with Q10. Singh, Moradabad, Cardiovasc Drug Ther 9/98;12:347

Hypertension: CoQ10 Helps HBP: In a 109 patient open study, 51% were able to eliminate 1 to 3 BP medications. The average dose used was 225 mg/day given with goal blood level over 2 microg/ml. Only 1 patient dropped out. Treatment of essential hypertension with coenzyme Q10. Several patients with improved left ventricular function. Langsjoen P, Langsjoen P, Willis R, Folkers K. U Tx. Mol Aspects Med 1994;15 Suppl:s165-75; The same authors report treating 424 patients with 75-600 mg/day (aver. 242) depending on whether they were improving. One patient had transient nausea, the only side-effect noted. Usefulness of coenzyme Q10 in clinical cardiology: a long-term study. 58% improved heart functioning on NYHA scale. Langsjoen H, Langsjoen P, Langsjoen P, Willis R, Folkers K.: Please Note: Open trials are markedly inferior to DB studies. Fortunately, other researchers have done such studies and the benefits were documented.