For a long time, European doctors have been dispensing purified fish oil, or omega-3 fatty acids, to patients who have suffered a heart attack. In countries like Italy, it would be unthinkable to send a heart attack victim home without omega-3's, which studies have shown to improve survival rates and reduce fatal heart rhythms.
The U.S. has recognized the benefits of fish oil, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been slow to approve fish oil for use in heart attack patients — the drugs were approved to treat high triglycerides, but not specifically for the treatment of heart attack patients. Instead, many Americans are given more expensive and sometimes invasive treatments, which may range from pills that lower cholesterol to implantable defibrillators that can restart the heart.
For a while, many in the medical community worried that because fish oil is seen as a "natural supplement" in the U.S., doctors would ignore the fact that it is also very powerful medicine. But these days, many doctors do prescribe drugs like Omacor or Lovaza, brand names of the omega-3's, to their patients. The fish oil can help lower triglycerides (blood fat) and boost "good" cholesterol (HDL), which means patients can increase their chances of survival and hopefully avoid a second heart attack.
Dr. Michael Avaricio, a New York cardiologist, says that omega-3's have become part of his standard practice of care in treating heart attack patients. "Lovaza is FDA-approved and contains omega-3's. We can reduce risk factors in patients by controlling their cholesterol. We've found that patients with arrhythmias do better with omega-3's."
Avaricio says that, although he would have to evaluate each patient on an individual basis, those with a risk of heart attack should generally be taking fish oil. "The side effects are very low," he says. They include possible upset stomach, burping and a strange taste in the mouth. "Even if a patient has low cholesterol, I would try to lower it as much as possible to prevent the risk of another heart attack."
And although fish oil was originally used in Europe (and consumed regularly through Mediterranean diets that are heavy on fish), people in the U.S. are quickly catching on to the benefits of this wonder supplement.
"These days, patients are well-read and they know to ask about it," says Avaricio.
He notes that it's crucial to speak to your doctor about a prescription before adding a fish oil supplement to your diet. "It's important to take something like Lovaza that is FDA-approved, because with dietary supplements, you don't always get the needed amount of omega -3's. You need at least one gram, not under a gram."
Patients should also remember that although fish oil seems to have many benefits, the supplement is best used after you have utilized non-drug treatments to keep your cholesterol in check including weight loss, exercise and decrease in and regulation of blood sugar levels for patients who are diabetic.
But what about fish oil for the person who has no history of heart disease? "Many people say omega-3's have other benefits in relation to memory, weight loss, arthritis," says Avaricio. If seafood isn't your favorite, the pill form may be just the thing. "It's an easy way to get the benefits without having to eat a lot of fish."
For a long time, European doctors have been dispensing purified fish oil, or omega-3 fatty acids, to patients who have suffered a heart attack. In countries like Italy, it would be unthinkable to send a heart attack victim home without omega-3's, which studies have shown to improve survival rates and reduce fatal heart rhythms.
