Omega-3 reduces risk of sudden cardiac death

MANILA, Philippines – With the sudden death of pop icon Michael Jackson, people started to worry that they might have the same fate as the famous artist, especially with stress and intense physical activity. Patients with heart problems started trooping to their doctors asking for drugs that can prevent sudden cardiac death.

Health experts assure heart patients that so long as they live a healthy lifestyle and are protected by tried-and-tested drugs, the risk of dying suddenly due to a heart attack or an abnormal heartbeat called ventricular fibrillation is significantly reduced. Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening irregular beating of the heart or arrhythmia.

Among the tried-and-tested drugs are beta-blockers, aspirin and other blood thinners, statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers.

In 2002, the American Heart Association released a scientific statement, “Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease,” on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on heart function (including antiarrhythmic effects), hemodynamics (cardiac mechanics) and arterial endothelial function. 

The link between omega-3 fatty acids and CVD risk reduction are still being studied, but research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids

• Decrease risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death;

• Decrease triglyceride levels;

• Decrease growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque; and

• Lower blood pressure (slightly).

Well-conducted clinical trials have shown that omega-3 fatty acid supplements can reduce cardiovascular events (death, non-fatal heart attacks, non-fatal strokes). 

Increasing omega-3 fatty acid intake through foods is preferable. However, coronary artery disease patients may not be able to get enough omega-3 by diet alone. Hence, these people are advised to talk to their doctors about taking an omega-3 supplement. Omegabloc is one of the popularly prescribed brands in the market. It is an over-the-counter drug in Mercury and other leading drugstores.

Omegabloc has been available in the country for more than 10 years and is now prescribed by many doctors. Usual recommended dose is one softgel two to three times daily.

Omegabloc comes from NOW Foods in the United States, one of the top manufacturers of vitamins and food supplements worldwide.