Omega-3s Helpful After a Heart Attack

A heart attack can result in damage to the heart, which raises the risk of further heart-related problems. A new study suggests that this risk may be reduced with a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids. In the study, 360 heart attack patients either took four grams of omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo for six months following their heart attack. The researchers found that participants who took omega-3 fatty acids experienced a 5.6% reduction in scarring of non-damaged heart muscle, as well as a 5.8% reduction in the left ventricular end-systolic volume index, which is an indicator of a patient’s outcome following a heart attack. Senior author Dr. Raymond Y. Kwong explains, “Our findings show that omega-3 fatty acids are a safe and effective treatment in improving cardiac remodeling, so it may be promising in reducing the incidence of heart failure or death, which are still major healthcare burdens to patients who suffer a heart attack.” Circulation, July 2016