Positive Health Online

Abstract

CHRISTENSEN and colleagues, Aalborg Sygehus, medicinsk endokrinologisk afdeling, Denmark investigated the effect of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) upon ventricular arrhythmias and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with previous heart attack. @m: In a double blind, placebo-controlled study, 55 patients were randomly assigned to receive either 5.2 g of n-3 PUFA daily for 12 weeks or placebo. A 24-hour Holter recording was obtained, which was repeated at study termination. Major end-points of the study were the number of ventricular extrasystoles (VE)/24 hours and the 24-hour HRV. @r: There was a non-significant decrease in VE/24 hours in the PUFA and control groups following dietary supplementation, whereas HRV significantly increased following n-3 PUFA compared to both baseline values and to controls. @c: The results of this study supports the hypothesis that n-3 PUFA may have an anti-arrhythmic effect in humans.

Background

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

References

Christensen JH et al. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, heart rate variability and ventricular arrhythmias in post-AMI-patients. A clinical controlled trial. Ugeskr Laeger 159(37): 5525-9. Sep 8 1997.

Comment

Heart disease remains the number one cause of death and is particularly high in the UK. Research studies using antioxidants and essential fatty acids support the hypothesis that these nutrients may have a significant role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. @i:26