Effect of omega-3 in patients with cardiomyopathy
 Researchers at the University of Brescia in Italy studied the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and frequent or repetitive ventricular arrhythmias.
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. These patients are often at risk for arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) or sudden death due to heart dysfunction.
First, the details.
- 44 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and frequent or repetitive ventricular arrhythmias were randomly assigned to take placebo or omega-3 fatty acids.
- Heart rate and rhythm was monitored continuously for 6 months.
- Neither the researchers nor the patients knew their treatment — double-blind.
And, the results.
- Based on a battery of tests, the risk of an arrhythmia improved significantly with omega-3 treatment compared to placebo.
- The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in the blood decreased from 12 to 3 after taking omega-3 fatty acids.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Omega-3 fatty acid administration is associated with favorable effects on parameters related to arrhythmic risk in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.”
In a separate study, researchers from the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia reported that in their patients, “Dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreased the inducibility of ventricular tachycardia in patients at risk of sudden cardiac death.”
“These findings suggest that dietary fish oil can have an antiarrhythmic effect.”
3/5/09 21:17 JR