While omega-3 fatty acids are known to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, recent study findings are now linking the fatty acid to heart health by lowering the risk of having a second heart attack.
This most recent study involved 18 men, with an average age of 68, who had suffered a heart attack anywhere between 3 months and 5 years prior to the start of the study. Participants either consumed a daily omega-3 supplement that provided a daily omega-3 intake of 810 mg or a placebo containing olive and corn oils.
After four months, researchers found the omega supplement to be associated with several indicators of heart health, including a decreased heart rate at rest and an accelerated return to normal heart rate after exercise.
Men with high heart rates when resting have increased risks of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and even death.
While these findings seem promising, further research is needed to identify the mechanism for improvement.
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