Omega-3s May Have Protective Effect After Heart Attack

Publication
Article
Pharmacy TimesJanuary 2013 The Aging Population
Volume 79
Issue 1

Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial after heart attacks in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online by Clinical Therapeutics on December 13, 2012.

Researchers evaluated the impact of licensed, highly purified omega-3 fatty acids on the mortality rate after heart attacks in patients with and without diabetes. Using data from the General Practice Research Database, researchers followed 2466 patients who were prescribed 1 g of omega-3 fatty acids daily within 90 days of their first heart attack.

The researchers recorded data on the rate of progression to death, considering other cardiovascular risks and treatments. Most patients were receiving other treatments at the same time such as lipid-lowering therapies, antihypertensives, and antiplatelets.

The researchers found that patients who began taking omega-3 fatty acids within 90 days of their first heart attack had a 20% reduced risk of death. Patients who began taking omega-3 fatty acids within 2 weeks of their heart attack increased the benefits by as much as 40%.

The results were consistent in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Researchers suggest that omega-3 fatty acid treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after a heart attack in patients with and without diabetes.

Related Videos
Cholesterol diet and healthy food eating nutritional concept with clean fruits in nutritionist's heart dish and patient's blood sugar control record with diabetic measuring tool | Image Credit: Chinnapong - stock.adobe.com
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot | stock.adobe.com
Image credit: Goffkein | stock.adobe.com
Image credit: Wild Awake | stock.adobe.com
Image credit: Dglimages | stock.adobe.com
Home Diabetes Treatment - Image credit: Dglimages | stock.adobe.com
Diabetes patient turn knob on end of insulin pen and dial up correct insulin dose for injection. Scale window on pen syringe showing number of units dose. Medical equipment is easy to self injection - Image credit: Orawan | stock.adobe.com
Patient with diabetes testing blood sugar levels
© 2024 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.