Her Heart Was Pumping at 13%. Doctors Gave Her a Defibrillator and Told Her to Prepare for the Worst. Then She Started Taking This.
An Oxford-manufactured Japanese enzyme is quietly gaining attention among people with serious cardiovascular concerns. One woman’s story explains why.
Hollyann Today
Hollyann didn’t think she’d be alive to tell this story.
A few years ago, she was lying in a cardiac ICU with tubes running into her neck, electrodes stuck to her chest, and a machine monitoring every beat of her failing heart. Doctors had just implanted a defibrillator—a device designed to deliver an electric shock if her heart suddenly stopped.
Her ejection fraction was 13%.
If you don’t know what that means, you need to. Because it’s the single most important number your cardiologist tracks—and most people have never heard of it.
During Hospitalisation
Cardiac ICU
Real photos shared by Hollyann from her time in hospital. Central line access and ECG monitoring visible.
The Number That Tells You How Strong Your Heart Really Is
Your heart is a pump. Every time it beats, it squeezes blood out into your body. But it doesn’t push out all the blood inside it—only a portion.
Ejection fraction is the percentage of blood your heart pumps out with each beat. If it fills with 100ml and pushes out 60ml, your ejection fraction is 60%. That’s healthy.
When that number drops, everything changes:
Hollyann’s ejection fraction was 13%. Her heart was pushing out roughly one-eighth of what it should. Every organ in her body was being starved of blood. Walking across a room left her gasping. Climbing stairs was impossible. She was running on fumes.
What Most People Don’t Realise About Heart Disease
Heart disease doesn’t announce itself. It builds silently. Arteries narrow. Blood thickens. Fibrin accumulates. Circulation slows. And by the time you feel symptoms—the shortness of breath, the crushing fatigue, the chest tightness—the damage is already advanced.
Here’s what makes it worse: most nattokinase supplements don’t contain what’s on the label. We know this because we tested them.
At NF Supplements, we don’t just test our own products. We third-party tested every leading nattokinase brand in the UK and USA through SORA Labs, an ISO 17025:2017 accredited laboratory, using the GM0068 fibrinolytic unit assay. Here’s what the lab found:
| Brand | Label Claim | Lab Result | % of Claim | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NF Supplements ★ | 5,000 FU / capsule | >6,720 FU / capsule | >134% | Pass |
| Horbaach | 4,000 FU / 2 capsules | 3,720 FU / 2 capsules | 93% | Marginal |
| Double Wood | 4,000 FU / 2 capsules | 2,800 FU / 2 capsules | 70% | Fail |
| Luma Nutrition | 4,000 FU / 2 capsules | <2,660 FU / 2 capsules | <66.5% | Fail |
| Bulk Supplements | 4,000 FU / capsule | <2,680 FU / capsule | <67% | Fail |
| Hybrid Health | 5,000 FU / 2 capsules | 1,380 FU / 2 capsules | 27.6% | Fail |
| Raibu | 2,000 FU / capsule | 528 FU / capsule | 26.4% | Fail |
| Vinco | 4,000 FU / 2 capsules | 711 FU / 2 capsules | 17.8% | Fail |
Nattokinase Potency: Label Claim vs. Lab Result
Percentage of advertised FU actually delivered per serving
All testing conducted by SORA Labs (ISO 17025:2017 accredited) using GM0068 fibrinolytic unit assay. Certificates of Analysis for all brands available at testing.nfsupplements.co.uk.
6 out of 8 competitor brands failed to deliver even 70% of the nattokinase on their label. Three brands delivered less than 28% of what they claimed. One brand—Vinco—contained just 17.8% of the advertised dose. If you’re taking nattokinase and it’s not working, the product might be the problem—not the enzyme.
That’s why what Hollyann did next matters so much. She didn’t just take any nattokinase. She chose the only brand that exceeded its label claim—manufactured in-house, third-party tested on every batch, and backed by publicly available lab results.
The Decision That Changed Everything
Hollyann made one change. She added nattokinase to her daily routine alongside her existing medical care. She didn’t stop seeing her doctors. She didn’t replace her medication. She gave her body one more tool to work with.
Nattokinase is a natural enzyme extracted from natto—a traditional Japanese fermented soy food that’s been eaten for over 1,000 years. Research shows it can break down fibrin (the protein that makes blood clot), support healthy blood flow, and help maintain normal blood pressure and circulation.
For Hollyann, it became a daily non-negotiable. She took it every single day for 12 months straight. No breaks. No shortcuts. Alongside her prescribed medical care, she gave nattokinase the one thing most people won’t give any supplement: consistency and time.
And after 12 months, the results came back.
From 13% to 56%. From severely impaired to the middle of the healthy range. Her stress test showed better cardiac response and more endurance. Her defibrillator has recorded no significant events. The device that was implanted to save her life hasn’t needed to fire once.
Read that again. Let it sink in.
What Was Happening Inside Her Arteries
To understand why Hollyann’s heart improved so dramatically, you need to understand what was likely going on inside her blood vessels.
Over time, a sticky substance called plaque—made up of fats, cholesterol, and fibrin—builds up on the walls of your arteries. As it thickens, the arteries narrow. Blood flow slows down. Your heart has to work harder to push blood through tighter and tighter passages. Eventually, the heart muscle weakens because it simply can’t keep up.
That’s what happens in heart failure. That’s what happened to Hollyann.
Nattokinase works by breaking down fibrin—one of the main structural proteins in plaque. When fibrin is broken down, plaque can begin to shrink. Arteries can begin to open. Blood flows more freely. And the heart doesn’t have to fight as hard to do its job.
Think of it like a clogged pipe. Nattokinase doesn’t just stop new buildup—research suggests it may actually help clear what’s already there.
Artery cross-sections illustrating plaque reduction after 12 months of daily nattokinase at 10,800 FU/day.
Over 12 months of daily nattokinase, Hollyann’s arteries were likely getting clearer, her blood was flowing more freely, and her heart muscle was finally able to recover. That’s why her ejection fraction didn’t just improve a little—it jumped from critically impaired to normal.
The Clinical Study That Backs This Up
Hollyann’s result might sound too good to be true. But there’s a large-scale clinical study that shows exactly this kind of improvement is possible—when nattokinase is taken at the right dose, for the right amount of time.
12-Month Nattokinase Study: 1,062 Participants, Dramatic Results
A study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine followed 1,062 men and women with an average age of 68 over 12 months of daily nattokinase supplementation at 10,800 FU per day.
The researchers also measured carotid artery wall thickness—the main artery supplying blood to your brain. Average wall thickness dropped from 1.33 mm to 1.04 mm. Plaque size decreased by up to 36%.
Crucially, the study found that the lower dose of 3,600 FU per day was ineffective. Only the higher dose of 10,800 FU per day produced significant results. The researchers concluded that the commonly recommended dose of 2,000 FU per day should be reconsidered.
The dose of 10,800 FU per day was found to be safe and well tolerated across the entire study population.
This is why dose matters. Most nattokinase supplements on the market contain 2,000 FU per capsule—the dose this study found to be ineffective. NF Supplements’ high-potency option delivers 10,000 FU per serving—close to the clinically effective dose used in this research.
This Is the Exact Nattokinase Hollyann Takes
Third-party tested. Manufactured in Oxford, UK. Results published publicly.
Nattokinase Arterial Support — 10,000 FU
★★★★★ 285 reviews · High-Potency Formula
30 Day Supply
90 Day Supply
Hollyann’s Review — In Her Own Words
We asked Hollyann if we could share her story publicly. She didn’t hesitate. Here’s exactly what she wrote:
“I literally put my life on the fact that it works. I started taking nattokinase at one of the lowest points in my life. My heart function was critically impaired, with an ejection fraction of just 13%. I was living with an implanted defibrillator, and my stress test results showed severely reduced cardiac performance. Everyday activities left me exhausted, short of breath, and uncertain about my future. Making the decision to consistently incorporate nattokinase into my routine—alongside my medical care—became a turning point in my journey. Over time, the change has been nothing short of remarkable. My most recent evaluation shows my ejection fraction has improved to 56%, a dramatic and life-changing increase. My stress test reflects improved cardiac response and endurance, and my defibrillator readings have remained stable, without significant events or interventions. But beyond the clinical results, it’s how I feel that truly tells the story. I have more energy, I can breathe easier, and I’m able to live my life with a renewed sense of strength and confidence. I no longer feel defined by my condition. Nattokinase has been a powerful part of my recovery.”
— Hollyann, Verified CustomerWhy Most Nattokinase Supplements Fail—and Why This One Doesn’t
Not all nattokinase is created equal. The supplement industry has a transparency crisis. Most brands outsource manufacturing, never test the finished product, and hide behind “proprietary blends” so you can’t see what’s actually inside.
NF Supplements does the opposite. Here’s how:
The difference is simple: when your health is on the line, you need to know exactly what you’re putting into your body. Not a guess. Not a marketing claim. Proof.
See the Lab Results Yourself
Every batch. Every test. Publicly available. This is what real supplement transparency looks like.
Choose Your Plan Above Join thousands of customers across the UK & USCommon Questions
Your Heart Deserves Better Than Guesswork
Hollyann didn’t wait for things to get better on their own. She made a decision. She chose a nattokinase that was tested, transparent, and manufactured to the highest standards. She took it every day for 12 months. And it became one of the most important parts of her recovery.
You don’t need to be at 13% to start caring about your cardiovascular health. You just need to start.
Start Your Journey Today
Nattokinase Arterial Support 10,000 FU. Made in Oxford. Tested on every batch. Trusted by thousands.
Choose Your Plan Free UK shipping · Subscribe & save up to 33%Disclaimer: This page shares a real customer’s experience. Individual results will vary. Nattokinase is a dietary supplement and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Hollyann used nattokinase alongside prescribed medical treatments under the supervision of healthcare professionals. NF Supplements does not claim that nattokinase alone was responsible for these results. Always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement, particularly if you have a cardiovascular condition, are taking blood thinners, or are on prescription medication. Statements on this page have not been evaluated by the MHRA or FDA.