Fish Oil Helps Reduce Heart Rhythm Disturbance

(SAN FRANCISCO---) Fish oil scores one more point! A comprehensive review reported in the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation & Prevention in March found that fish oil can reduce the dangerous heart rhythm disturbances known to cause strokes, heart attacks and sudden death.

This latest review reinforced findings from several epidemiological studies, case-control studies and randomized trials that have shown how fish oil reduces the number and severity of cardiovascular events. But this time the researchers put forth a conceptual understanding of what the fish oil may actually do within the body to lower sudden cardiac death risk due to rhythm disturbance.  

The important oils in the fish, namely, eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA), may improve the autonomic tone of cardiac smooth muscle and the embedded electrophysiology circuits that respond to both sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system.  When the tone is improved, the potential for reducing the risk of major arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, occurs in both the atrial (top) and ventricular (bottom) chambers of the heart.

Atrial rhythm dysrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, can feel like a flutter in the chest, and cause lightheadedness or fainting due to insufficient blood flow through the chambers. It can also lead to serious problems with clot formation around heart valves, leading to possible stroke or heart attack. Ventricular rhythm disturbances are considered more immediately life threatening since they can progress from extra beats (premature ventricular contractions) to sustained quivering (fibrillation) and flatline.

This review also looked at the way fish oil therapy performed in three primary prevention trials in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.  

In addition to being a new therapy for atrial fibrillation, fish oil has other therapeutic properties. It can lower serum triglycerides, provide anti-inflammatory effects, and improve arterial and diastolic blood pressure function.  

The new recommendations from this published review are significant: “Patients with documented coronary heart disease and those with risk factors for sudden cardiac death, such as left ventricular dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy, prior myocardial infarction, or high-grade ventricular dysrhythmias, should consider fish oil supplementation.” (1)

Finally, the reviewers warned that fish oil supplementation was not appropriate for those on anticoagulant therapy, since it would increase bleeding time and possibly lead to more complications. Reviewers also warned against ingesting too many contaminants such as those that may unfortunately lace food fish supplies, although the American Heart Association recommends four 3-ounce servings of oily fish (salmon, mackerel, herring) weekly.

For those who don’t like to eat as much fish as is recommended for positive benefit, the reviewers recommended capsules of purified fish oil, 800-1000 mg/day for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. 

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ADDITIONAL TIP:
Some people have objected to fish oil supplements because of fishy aftertaste or the need for constant refrigeration. A new process produces burp-free enteric-coated softgels which are available from Holista™. 

Reference:

1. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation & Prevention. 28(2):92-98, March/April 2008.