High-dose omega-3 offers more potent heart protection

MANILA, Philippines - Ricardo M., a 61-year-old former barangay captain, ran for councilor in his town in the last elections. He lost and because of the combined effect of fatigue, too much smoking and drinking during the campaign, stress and depression over his loss, he suffered a heart attack but has just been discharged from the hospital.

Since his heart attack a few days after the elections, he now suffers from an uncontrollable fear of having another heart attack that could be fatal.

His doctor assured him that with a healthy, stress-free lifestyle consisting of a high-fiber, low-fat diet plus regular exercise, and taking his prescribed medicine religiously, he is assured of a reduced risk of another heart attack. His doctor told him that he should consider himself fortunate for having survived a heart attack.

Among the tried-and-tested drugs now given to heart patients like Ricardo 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).

A study published in the Pharmacoeconomics journal, which evaluates the cost-benefit of all forms of medical interventions, concluded that the cost-effectiveness of long-term treatment with omega-3 fish oil is comparable with other effective drugs such as the cholesterol-lowering statins popularly prescribed in the routine care of patients who suffered a heart attack.

The study showed a favorable and positive value-for-money with omega-3 fish oil. This therapy should be added to the established routine practice, according to the authors who are all heart specialists from the Department of Cardiovascular Research of Istituto di Richerche Farmacologiche in Milan, Italy.

Other well-conducted clinical trials have also 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 food is preferable. However, coronary artery disease patients may not be able to get enough omega-3 through the diet alone. Hence, these people are advised to talk to their doctors about taking an omega-3 supplement.

Recently, Cardiomax has been introduced in the local market. It offers a more potent level of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or good fats that protect the heart and blood vessels.

Hence, doctors prescribe it at a dose of only one to two softgels a day compared to other low-dose omega-3 supplements that need to be taken at three to four softgels daily.  

Cardiomax is an over-the-counter drug in Mercury and other leading drugstores and requires no prescription, but patients are advised to consult their doctors first before they take it.

Cardiomax is manufactured by one of the leading manufacturers of food supplements and vitamins in the United States and is distributed locally by Trianon International Inc.

Charles Cultura, Trianon national sales and marketing manager, said Cardiomax “can be safely taken by both healthy individuals and patients who are at risk of cardiovascular diseases.”