Research suggests that vitamins like B6 and K2 might promote heart health. Not getting enough of other vitamins, like C and D, may increase your risk of heart disease.

Your body needs vitamins to function. Each of the 13 essential vitamins has a different function and influences your health differently. Some vitamins are more closely linked to heart health than others.

Let’s look at some of the key vitamins for heart health and how to ensure you’re getting the right amount to keep your heart functioning at its best.

Dietary sources vs. supplements

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t manage vitamin supplements as rigorously as other medications. Supplements are often not subject to the same strict research standards.

Some people believe vitamin supplements help them feel better, but most doctors suggest eating a variety of foods to naturally get these vitamins. Research often shows that supplements do not have the same benefits as finding a natural source.

Most people think of vitamin A and its precursor (beta carotene) as most notable for benefiting eye and skin health. But some studies suggest that vitamin A can also protect the heart, although research is mixed.

A 2021 research review notes that vitamin A can help:

  • reduce blood pressure
  • reduce atherosclerosis (buildup of cholesterol in the arteries)
  • protect the heart muscle

A 2024 study also found that people who consumed more vitamin A from food sources were less likely to have two or more cardiometabolic conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

However, too much of a good thing isn’t always the best. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force notes that beta carotene supplements may increase your risk of dying from heart disease. In the studies the task force reviewed, people consumed well over the recommended daily limit.

Rather than taking vitamin A supplements to support your heart health, you may be better off getting it from natural sources, like:

  • orange and yellow vegetables
  • egg yolks
  • liver
  • dairy

Several of the eight B vitamins may benefit your heart, including:

B vitamins help lower blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that can damage your arteries if it builds up too much.

A 2021 review found that supplementing with vitamins B6, B9, or B12 could lower your risk of stroke and heart attack.

Other research links vitamin B deficiency to atherosclerosis, even in people who don’t have high cholesterol.

Of the B vitamins, B6 may be the most beneficial for heart health.

A 2023 study notes a significant link between vitamin B6 and reduced heart disease risk, but not with B9 or B12. The authors acknowledge that research regarding B9 and B12 was mixed and that more research was needed into B6.

Vitamin C may protect the health of your blood vessels in several ways:

Still, research is mixed as to whether there’s a direct link between vitamin C consumption and improved heart health outcomes.

So, while it’s unclear whether more vitamin C can help your heart, it seems that not getting enough vitamin C can increase your risk of heart disease.

You can get enough vitamin C in your diet by consuming fruits and vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.

Also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” since you can get it from sun exposure, you can get vitamin D through fatty fish, eggs, and fortified milk, among other sources.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force doesn’t recommend taking vitamin D supplements to reduce the risk of heart disease, as there’s little evidence to suggest they can.

However, it’s important to ensure you’re getting enough vitamin D, as research links deficiency to:

About 2 in 5 U.S. adults don’t get enough vitamin D, with Black people most likely to not get enough. This is mainly because people with dark skin tones produce less vitamin D in their skin.

Vitamin K exists in two natural forms: K1 and K2. Research links vitamin K2, in particular, to several heart health benefits, including:

  • preventing the buildup of calcium in your arteries
  • improving the elasticity of your blood vessels, allowing for easier blood flow
  • reducing inflammation that can contribute to heart disease

A 2021 study found a link between diets high in vitamin K and reduced risk of:

The National Institutes of Health notes that research on the effects of vitamin K supplementation on heart health is still sparse. But 8% to 31% of healthy adults don’t get enough vitamin K, so seeking natural sources to meet daily requirements may be helpful.

Vitamin K and warfarin

If you take the blood thinner warfarin, vitamin K can reduce its effectiveness. Talk with a doctor about vitamin K consumption if you take warfarin.

Nutritional substances beyond the 13 essential vitamins can also promote positive heart health. Some of the most touted are:

Not all vitamins have a positive effect on your heart health. Too much of some vitamins can actually harm your heart. Notable examples include:

Vitamin B3 (niacin)

Scientists previously thought that vitamin B3 might benefit heart health by reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol, though research was mixed.

However, a 2024 study found that excess niacin may increase your risk of heart disease. More research is needed, but exercise caution before taking extra niacin.

Most people already consume enough niacin, so supplementation usually isn’t necessary.

Vitamin E

Some scientists think vitamin E’s antioxidant properties may help improve cardiovascular outcomes.

According to a 2021 review, some studies have found heart health benefits to vitamin E supplementation, but others have observed harmful effects. Researchers advise against taking vitamin E supplements but acknowledge more research is needed.

Several essential vitamins contribute to the function and health of your heart. In most cases, ensuring you get enough of these vitamins as part of a balanced diet is sufficient for promoting good heart health.

Getting too little of some vitamins can increase your risk of heart disease. But getting too much of some vitamins may also harm your heart.

Talk with a doctor before taking any supplements. In most cases, the best way to maintain a healthy heart is to focus on overall lifestyle strategies, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and taking medications as prescribed.