Vitamin K2 is often called the "heart vitamin" because of its role in calcium handling. The story is fascinating, but the evidence is mostly observational, and the trials so far are mixed. Here's the honest version.
Written by Vita Globe Editorial Team | Reviewed against NIH guidance and peer-reviewed research
Is vitamin K2 good for heart health?
It's promising but not proven. In the Rotterdam Study, people who ate the most menaquinones (K2) had a lower risk of dying from coronary heart disease[1], and other observational research links K2 intake to less coronary calcification[2]. But observational studies can't prove cause and effect. Randomized trials are mixed: MK-7 improved arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women[3], yet a two-year trial of K2 plus vitamin D didn't slow aortic valve calcification[4].
Caveat: K2 hasn't been shown to prevent heart attacks or strokes in randomized trials. Don't use it in place of prescribed heart care.
Sources: Rotterdam Study, 2004 · Beulens et al., 2009 · Knapen et al., 2015 · AVADEC trial, 2022 · Verified 2026-09-27
In this article
Why do researchers think K2 might help the heart?
It comes down to a protein called matrix Gla protein (MGP), found in blood vessel walls. MGP helps inhibit calcium from depositing in soft tissue, but it needs vitamin K to become active[5].
The idea is that if vitamin K status is low, more MGP stays inactive, which could allow more calcium buildup in arteries over time. In a meta-analysis, higher blood levels of inactive MGP were linked to higher death rates from all causes and cardiovascular causes[6]. That's why K2, which may reach tissues outside the liver more easily, gets so much attention.
What did the Rotterdam Study find?
The Rotterdam Study followed older adults in the Netherlands for years and tracked what they ate. People in the highest third of menaquinone (K2) intake had a markedly lower risk of dying from coronary heart disease than those in the lowest third. K1 intake showed no such link[1].
A separate study in postmenopausal women found higher dietary K2 intake was associated with less coronary artery calcification[2]. A 2019 meta-analysis found higher intakes of both K1 and K2 associated with a moderately lower risk of coronary heart disease, but the authors stressed that causality couldn't be established and called for larger studies and randomized trials[6].
The catch: people who eat more cheese and fermented foods may differ in many other ways. Observational studies can't rule that out.
What do randomized trials show?
Arterial stiffness. In a three-year trial of 244 postmenopausal women, 180 mcg of MK-7 daily improved measures of arterial stiffness, especially in women with high stiffness at the start[3].
Valve calcification. The AVADEC trial gave high-dose MK-7 plus vitamin D or placebo to older men with aortic valve calcification. After two years, it didn't significantly slow calcification progression[4].
The NIH sums it up well: the role of different forms of vitamin K in arterial calcification and heart disease is still unclear[5].
The honest summary
- The biology is plausible and the observational data are encouraging.
- Trial results so far are mixed and use markers, not heart attacks or deaths.
- K2 is not a proven way to prevent heart disease.
What does this mean for you?
If you want more K2, food and supplements are both reasonable options, and the safety record is good for most people[5]. For foods, see foods high in vitamin K2.
But the proven heart-health basics matter far more: not smoking, being active, managing blood pressure and cholesterol, and following your doctor's advice.
Important: many people with heart conditions take warfarin. If you do, don't add K2 without your doctor's input, since vitamin K counteracts warfarin[5]. See vitamin K2 and blood thinners.
Our option
Vita Globe Vitamin K2 Gummies
Our Vitamin K2 Gummies are a convenient way to add K2 to your routine. They're raspberry-flavored, with a suggested use of 2 gummies once daily, and they're vegan-friendly, gluten-free and non-GMO, made without artificial colors or flavors. Like every Vita Globe product, they're tested by an independent third-party lab. They're a dietary supplement, not a treatment for any heart condition.
Frequently asked questions
Does vitamin K2 remove calcium from arteries?
There's no good evidence that it removes existing calcification. A two-year trial of K2 plus vitamin D didn't slow valve calcification[4].
Can vitamin K2 lower blood pressure?
We didn't find good evidence that K2 lowers blood pressure. The trials we reviewed looked at arterial stiffness and calcification instead[3].
Is K2 safe for people with heart disease?
It depends on your medications. Anyone on warfarin must talk to their doctor first, because vitamin K reduces warfarin's effect[5].
Which is better for the heart, K1 or K2?
In the Rotterdam Study, only K2 intake was linked to lower heart disease risk[1], but a later meta-analysis linked both to modestly lower risk[6]. Neither is proven to prevent heart disease.
Sources
- Geleijnse JM, Vermeer C, Grobbee DE, et al. Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease: the Rotterdam Study. J Nutr. 2004;134(11):3100-3105. doi:10.1093/jn/134.11.3100
- Beulens JWJ, Bots ML, Atsma F, et al. High dietary menaquinone intake is associated with reduced coronary calcification. Atherosclerosis. 2009;203(2):489-493. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2008.07.010
- Knapen MHJ, Braam LAJLM, Drummen NE, Bekers O, Hoeks APG, Vermeer C. Menaquinone-7 supplementation improves arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women. Thromb Haemost. 2015;113(5):1135-1144. doi:10.1160/TH14-08-0675
- Diederichsen ACP, Lindholt JS, Möller S, et al. Vitamin K2 and D in patients with aortic valve calcification: a randomized double-blinded clinical trial. Circulation. 2022;145(18):1387-1397. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.057008
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. Vitamin K: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated March 29, 2021. ods.od.nih.gov
- Chen HG, Sheng LT, Zhang YB, et al. Association of vitamin K with cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Nutr. 2019;58(6):2191-2205. doi:10.1007/s00394-019-01998-3
About the Vita Globe Editorial Team
The Vita Globe Editorial Team researches and writes our wellness content, working from peer-reviewed research, systematic reviews and guidance from bodies such as the NIH and the FDA. We cite our sources inline and update articles when the evidence changes.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or caring for a child.
