In simpler terms, it takes more energy to fill the heart than to empty it. Diastolic dysfunction is a stiffening of the heart muscle which interferes with the heart's ability to function as an effective pump. It is seen early in the course of many common cardiac disorders and is demonstrable by echocardiography. This stiffening returns towards normal with supplemental CoQ 10 in tempo with clinical improvement. It is important to note that in all of the above clinical trials, CoQ 10 was used in addition to traditional medical treatments, not to their exclusion.
Hypertension is reduced when diastolic function improves.