Doctors have been advised to prescribe oily fish or omega-3 fatty acid supplements to patients who have had heart attacks. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) believes that if doctors do so, and then if patients follow their advice, then they will be at a lower risk of suffering further heart attacks.
The guidance is the first time that NICE had advised patients to change their lifestyle, along with taking prescribed drugs, in order to avoid repeat heart attacks. The news has been welcomed by patient representatives which have said that the measures could have a big impact.
The new guidelines replace the ones set out six years and now advise patients to to give up smoking, be physically active for 20-30 minutes a day, and eat a Mediterranean-style diet. Professor Gene Feder, Chair of the Guideline Development Group, said that while drugs could make an enormous difference to patients who have had a heart attack, there is now also compelling evidence that lifestyle changes can play a role too.
The new guidelines recommend that patients who have a had a heart attack in the last three months should eat more oily fish or are prescribed certain preparations of omega 3 fatty acids. The recommendations come after research showed that one specific omega-3 supplement - Omacor - cut the risk of a patient dying suddenly by up to 45%.
Omacor is currently the only omega-3 supplement with a licence for post-heart attack treatment. However, the costs of this to the NHS are likely to be quite high, as around 260,000 people have a first heart attack every year, and, of those, around a fifth may need supplements as they are intolerant to oily fish. NICE estimates the cost could be around 7 million pounds in the first year. Therefore it is recommended that those who can eat oily fish do so at least two to four times a week, as this not only prevents further heart attacks but also improves general health.
John Walsh, a patient representative on the Guideline Development Group, said: "There is really a lot of good advice in [the report] that we must ensure gets to patients. The changes that the average person needs to make are really quite small. In my case for example, I've decided that I'm not going to choose to live without cheese, but what I do now is eat very much less of it. I'm quite sure that from the patients' point of view, if we can get this information into their hands, and their minds and into their hearts, there will be a big health gain in this area."
Professor Mayur Lakhani, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "Having a heart attack used to be a life sentence for patients; now it is possible for most patients to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. This requires a high standard of modern medical care and for patients to follow lifestyle advice."
Fish oil for heart health is an interesting topic. And there is a good reason for this. There isn't a single newspaper or magazine that does not carry research news on the amazing health benefits of fish oil for the heart. Most doctors and nutritionists recommend it. Health trainers and exercise buffs recommend it too. And lately, my vet has also recommended the use of fish oil capsules for the heart health of my chocolate Labrador, Phyto. Certainly most people may have heard of the wonderful cardiovascular health benefits of omega 3 fish oil, however not many know the exciting scientific studies which proves the results behind the fish oil for heart health craze. Information was printed in Circulation, the American Heart Association's official journal, which provided systematic and detailed reports on how omega 3 fatty acids from fish can help enrich the circulation and reasons why fish oil works perfectly for the health of your heart and cardiovascular system in several ways. The study presented how fish oil fatty acids helps in lowering the cholesterol levels, preventing irregular heartbeat and minimizing blood clots. It also helps in lowering both the blood pressure and triglycerides, balancing HDL and LDL, and relaxing the arterial walls, as well as preventing the formation of new plaque and inflammation, vasoconstriction, platelet aggregation and much more. [Vol. 106:2747] Astonishing! Other scientists have mentioned how omega 3 fish oil can help a person that is depressed as well. It can be a big help for somebody who is broken hearted. A certain group of doctors have published research in the Journal of American Medical Association regarding all the positive effects that increased fish oil consumption can do to lowering a man's risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Then again, statistics have shown that more women die from heart disease as compared to any other cause, so scientists were interested to know if fish oil can give the same health benefits to them as it can for men. 84,688 women were followed for 16 years and the doctors came to the conclusion that those who consumed 5 or more servings of fish a week had lesser chances of CHD or dying from a heart attack, compared to those who consumed less fish. [Vol. 287, No. 14] In my opinion, this makes this matter quiet clear that fish oil for heart health is so important. But what is the proper recommendation? Usually they would suggest 5 or more servings of oily, cold, water fish a week. This may sound good and may really help improve heart health, but then it may not be enough. Many of the studies recommend 1 to 3 grams of fish oil daily for a healthier cardiovascular system. The only sure way that you get this is through supplements of pure omega 3 fish oil capsules that will give you a balance of all the eight naturally occurring omega 3 fatty acids. Now you can see why a lot of people are recommending fish oil for heart health. The question is, will you do something about it? It would not be that hard to improve your health and it can be worth all the effort. Don't you find it nice to have a pain free, happy, healthy life while you grow old? Certainly you will! And you can start now, if you heed this advice.
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