THE EFFECT OF COQ10 ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN A HYPERTENSIVE RECREATIONAL ATHLETE

Abstract

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10 or ubiquinone) is a fat soluble vitamin like substance that has been implicated as a blood pressure reducer in people with hypertension. A within series A-B-A-B design (Baseline = T1, Intervention = T2, Withdrawl = T3, Intervention = T4) was employed to determine the effect of isolated 50 mg/day CoQ10 supplementation on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in a 24 year old, hypertensive, recreational, male athlete. Mean and Standard Error Mean (SEM) initial baseline measurements (T1) for self monitored SBP, DBP, and MAP were 144.7 ± .9787, 96.8 ± .7060, and 112.6 ± .6308, respectively. Subsequent mean and SEM for SBP, DBP, and MAP were as follows: T2 = 141.7 ± .825, 96.3 ± .6429, 111.2 ± .5176; T3 = 135.7 ± 1.410, 95.8 ± .9162, 109.0 ± .9074; T4 = 134.3 ± 1.378, 94.2 ± 1.260, 107.4 ± 1.140. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant differences for SBP and MAP (p < .05) but not DBP (p = .512). Functional Rockport Walk Test at T1 versus T4 revealed decreases in time to complete one mile distance (T1 = 10:43; T4 = 10:21) and maximum heart rate (T1 = 170 bpm; T4 = 156 bpm). Following physician consultation, CoQ10 may be a supplement recommendable to recreational athletes to control systolic and mean arterial blood pressure. Future studies should seek to determine whether the possible mechanism for reduction of blood pressure is normalization of peripheral resistance or cardiac regulation.