Giving fish oil capsules to heart patients can save 10,000 lives a year
By ANIThursday, September 2, 2010
LONDON - Fish oil capsules can save upto 10,000 lives a year by cutting down deaths caused by heart problems, according to a review.
A review revealed omega-3 supplements prevented the deaths of almost one in ten patients with heart failure.
Regular use also prevented around 8 per cent of hospital admissions caused by symptoms such as breathlessness and fluid retention, reports the Daily Mail.
7,000 heart failure patients taking part in a larger Italian study were monitored over 4.5 years.
There was a fall of 9 per cent in the death rate of those taking purified fish oil, and an 8 per cent fall in hospitalization rates.
Review author, Professor Martin Cowie, expected ESC guidelines to recommend the use of Omega 3 capsules in heart failure.
Omega-3 fatty acids are natural polyunsaturates found in oily fish such as sardines, soya beans, rapeseed oil, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.
The review is published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine. (ANI)
