Vitality Magazine May 2017

HEART PATIENTS BENEFIT FROM FISH OIL
A new review has prompted the American Heart Association
to issue a new recommendation that doctors consider prescribing
fish oil capsules to heart attack survivors and
patients with chronic heart failure. The AHA suggested that
fish oil may extend the lives of these patients. The recommendations
are based on a review of 15 clinical trials; 13
were conducted after 2002, which was the last time the association
issued recommendations on fish oil. The AHA has
long recommended that people eat fatty fish at least twice a
week. Overall, patients on fish oil had an 8% lower risk of
being hospitalized or dying over four years. The study
stressed that its conclusions could not recommend fish oil for
preventing heart problems, because none of the clinical trials
assessed in this review tested the effects of fish oil in people
who are free of heart disease. (Fish oil is rich in omega-3
fatty acids, which are generally thought to be heart-healthy.
Oily fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel are good
sources, but many people turn to supplements for a regular
daily supply. One previous study found that about 8% of U.S.
adults, 19 million people, had used fish oil in the last month.
Omega-3 is sometimes used to treat very high triglycerides.)
The evidence suggests that fish oil does not prevent arteryclogging
plaque but might help by curbing the risk of a lifethreatening,
heart-rhythm disturbance. The report was posted
March 13 at http://tinyurl.com/z72o9or and will eventually
appear in the journal Circulation.
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VITALITY MAGAZINE – MAY 2017 49