Heart Health

Heart health: Evidence-based habits and supplements for a stronger cardiovascular system*

Julie HoerthNatural Health Writer
5 min read
100K Heartbeats per day — your heart works harder than any other organ in your body
60K mi Of blood vessels your heart circulates blood through, every single day
30 min Of aerobic activity, four times a week — the foundation of heart-healthy movement
Summary

Your heart never gets a day off — and supporting it well means more than just one habit or one supplement. This guide covers five evidence-based moves for long-term cardiovascular wellness: family history, oral health, consistent movement, stress management, and four targeted nutrients (French grape seed extract VX1®, CoQ10, amla, and red sage).*†^ You'll learn what each does and how to build a routine that actually compounds over years.

Wine grapes, amla fruit, red sage sprig arranged on a cream surface.

Your heart works harder than any other organ in your body—beating around 100,000 times a day, circulating blood through roughly 60,000 miles of blood vessels, and never taking a day off. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to every cell, removes waste products, and keeps every system in your body running. Given everything it does, giving your heart consistent, proactive attention isn't optional—it's essential. The combination of smart lifestyle habits and targeted heart health supplements can make a meaningful difference in maintaining cardiovascular function year after year.*

Heart health: Evidence-based habits and supplements for a stronger cardiovascular system*

1. Know your family history

Your family's cardiovascular history is one of the most actionable pieces of information you have ands can reveal where your own cardiovascular health may need extra attention. Gathering this information and sharing it with your healthcare provider gives you both a starting point for a proactive, personalized heart health plan rather than a reactive one.

2. Don't underestimate oral health

The link between oral health and cardiovascular health is well-established..  Maintaining a healthy bacterial balance in the mouth through regular brushing, flossing, and dental care is a simple  step that supports the whole cardiovascular system—not just your teeth.

3. Move your body consistently

Regular physical activity is one of the most impactful things you can do for your heart. Exercise strengthens the heart muscle, improves its pumping efficiency, enhances the flexibility and responsiveness of blood vessels, and helps maintain healthy cholesterol, blood pressure, and circulation. Aim for approximately 30 minutes of aerobic activity at least four times a week—walking, cycling, swimming, or any sustained movement that elevates your heart rate. Consistency matters far more than intensity, especially over the long term.

4. Manage occasional stress

The physiological impact of chronic stress on the cardiovascular system is real. When the body perceives stress, it releases cortisol and adrenaline—hormones that, at elevated levels over time, can affect blood pressure, heart rate, and vascular function. Relaxation practices like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and even regular time outdoors help support healthy stress hormone levels and, by extension, a healthier cardiovascular system. Building these practices into your routine—rather than reaching for them only in moments of crisis—makes a lasting difference.

5. Targeted nutrients that support a healthy heart*

In addition to a well-rounded diet, certain science-backed supplements can help fill nutritional gaps and provide targeted cardiovascular support. Here are four ingredients with strong evidence behind them, each addressing a different aspect of heart health.*

8x

Up to 8 times greater CoQ10 absorption with the GammaSorb®-enhanced Chewable CoQ10‡

7

Groundbreaking scientific studies backing French grape seed extract VX1®*†^

40+

When CoQ10 levels naturally start to decline — a reason supplementation matters more with time

4

Ingredients — French grape seed VX1®, CoQ10, amla, and red sage — each targeting a different aspect of heart health*†^

Active mature couple walking together on a forest trail at golden hour.

French Grape Seed Extract VX1®: Antioxidant protection for heart and vessels*^

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are some of the most potent antioxidants in the plant kingdom—and French grape seed extract VX1® delivers them in their most bioavailable form. What makes VX1® different from standard grape seed extracts is its low molecular weight—meaning the OPCs are small enough to actually be absorbed and utilized by the body. Many generic grape seed extracts contain large-molecule tannins that pass through without being absorbed, delivering little meaningful benefit.

Terry Naturally's Clinical OPC® formulas feature VX1®, sourced from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France and backed by seven ground breaking scientific studies. Taken daily, French grape seed VX1® supports heart and artery health, cholesterol balance, healthy blood sugar levels, and more.*† 

^Protection from oxidative stress and damage. †Supports healthy levels already within the normal range.

CoQ10: Cellular energy for the heart's demanding workload*

The heart is the most metabolically active organ in the body—and CoQ10 is the nutrient that fuels cellular energy production at the mitochondrial level. CoQ10 is naturally concentrated in heart cells, where it is essential for generating ATP, the energy molecule that powers every heartbeat. Beyond energy production, CoQ10 also functions as a potent antioxidant, protecting heart cells from oxidative stress.*

CoQ10 levels decline naturally with age—and are further depleted by the use of certain cholesterol-lowering medications. This makes consistent CoQ10 supplementation particularly important for older adults and those on statin therapy. Terry Naturally's Chewable CoQ10 features GammaSorb® for up to 8 times better absorption than standard CoQ10 forms.

Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Cholesterol balance from Ayurvedic tradition*†

Amla—also known as Indian gooseberry—has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years and is increasingly studied in modern research for its cardiovascular applications. In a placebo-controlled clinical study, the clinically studied amla extract in Terry Naturally's Healthy Cholesterol with Amla supported healthy cholesterol and triglyceride balance.† Notably, it did not negatively affect CoQ10 levels—a meaningful advantage for anyone focused on comprehensive heart health. Amla is also a powerful antioxidant and adaptogen, offering benefits beyond cholesterol support for energy and immune function.*† 

†Supports healthy levels already within the normal range.

Red Sage (Danshen): Blood vessel support and nitric oxide production*

Red sage—known as Danshen in Chinese medicine—is one of the most researched cardiovascular botanicals in the world. Its active compounds deliver cell-protecting antioxidants that support healthy blood vessels, healthy blood pressure levels, and healthy cholesterol and lipid balance.^† Red sage is particularly valued for its support of nitric oxide production—a molecule critical to maintaining healthy blood flow and vascular flexibility.*

†Supports healthy levels already within the normal range. ^Protection from oxidative stress and damage.

How four targeted nutrients support your heart*†^
01
Cellular Energy with CoQ10

Your heart is the most metabolically demanding organ in the body — and CoQ10 fuels the energy production in every heart cell. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative stress. Levels decline naturally with age.*^

02
Vascular protection with VX1®

French grape seed extract VX1® delivers low-molecular-weight OPCs — small enough for your body to actually absorb. These antioxidants support heart and artery health, cholesterol balance, and healthy blood sugar levels.*†^

03
Cholesterol balance and blood vessel support*†^

Amla (Indian gooseberry) has been studied for supporting healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Red sage (Danshen) supports healthy blood vessels and nitric oxide production — the molecule that keeps blood flow smooth.*†^

Building a long-term heart health strategy*

No single supplement or lifestyle habit works in isolation—the most effective approach to cardiovascular health combines consistent movement, stress management, smart nutrition, and targeted supplementation. The ingredients highlighted above each address a specific aspect of heart health, from cellular energy to cellular protection to cholesterol balance, and they work best as part of an integrated daily routine.*^†

Explore Terry Naturally's full range of cardiovascular support supplements—each formulated with the same commitment to clinical validation, premium sourcing, and meaningful results that makes Terry Naturally a trusted name in natural health.*

^Protection from oxidative stress and damage. †Supports healthy levels already within normal range.

Explore our cardiovascular support collection*
1225f683-4e37-4eeb-87c1-958ef5999110_medium_77834243-9cb1-461f-b238-b7f6397c92ff.png
Clinical OPC® Extra Strength $57.95
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CoQ10 Chewable $34.95
95115604-7897-4340-9182-f08d375bfdd0_medium_7f3af595-144c-4c7b-8680-78ee2bf289b5.png
Healthy Cholesterol*† with Amla $47.95

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? Here the answers

  • More important than most people realize.  Regular brushing and flossing, combined with professional dental care, helps maintain a healthy oral microbiome and reduces the bacterial burden that can affect cardiovascular health. It's a simple, accessible habit with long-term impact.

  • Yes—and the evidence for this is substantial. Regular aerobic exercise, even at moderate intensity, strengthens the heart muscle and improves vascular flexibility. Managing occasional stress reduces elevation of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that affect blood pressure and cardiovascular function. Maintaining oral health reduces systemic bacterial burden. These aren't minor tweaks—they're foundational practices that compound over years and decades. Combined with targeted nutritional support, they represent the most evidence-based approach to long-term cardiovascular wellness.*

  • The key difference is molecular size. The OPC compounds in standard grape seed extracts are often high-molecular-weight tannins that the body cannot absorb—they pass through without delivering meaningful benefit. French grape seed extract VX1® is standardized exclusively for low-molecular-weight OPCs—small enough to be absorbed and put to use in the body. VX1® is also grown in the Champagne region of France and independently verified to be genuine, unadulterated grape seed extract—an important distinction in a category where adulteration is documented. It's backed by seven groundbreaking scientific studies.

  • CoQ10 is synthesized naturally in the body, but production decreases with age—starting meaningfully after around age 40. Additionally, cholesterol-lowering statin medications inhibit an enzyme pathway shared with CoQ10 synthesis, which can further reduce the body's natural CoQ10 levels. Since the heart relies on CoQ10 for cellular energy production and antioxidant protection, declining levels may affect cardiovascular function over time.^ Supplementing with a highly absorbable form of CoQ10—such as the GammaSorb®-enhanced formula from Terry Naturally—helps maintain adequate levels.*‡

    ^Protection from oxidative stress and damage. ‡GammaSorb has been shown to increase the absorption of certain hard to absorb (fat soluble) dietary ingredients.

  • The most well-researched supplements for cardiovascular support include CoQ10 for cellular energy and antioxidant protection^, French grape seed extract (particularly low-molecular-weight OPC forms like VX1®) for vascular and antioxidant support, amla for cholesterol balance, and red sage (Danshen) for blood vessel and nitric oxide support.*† The best choice depends on your individual health profile—a conversation with your healthcare provider can help identify where supplemental support is most needed. 

    ^Protection from oxidative stress and damage. †Supports healthy levels already within the normal range.

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