Can fish oil supplements increase the risk of first heart attack and stroke? Here’s the understanding of a new study | Health and wellness news

What does the study say

The study, published in the journal BMJ Medicine, is important because it covers data from 4,15,737 people from the UK Biobank, around a third of whom were taking fish oil supplements. Test subjects, who had no known heart disease but regularly took fish oil supplements, had a 13% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeats, also called arrhythmias, which can trigger clots blood disorders, strokes and even heart failure.

In fact, researchers found that test participants had a five percent higher risk of stroke than those who had good heart health but didn’t use fish oil. The risk of going from good health to having a heart attack, stroke or heart failure was 6% higher in women who took fish oil. Non-smokers also reported a 6 percent higher risk.

But for people with pre-existing heart disease, fish oil supplements reduced the risk of arrhythmia triggering a heart attack by 15%. They also reduced the risk of progression of heart failure to death by 9%. Indeed, fish oils are anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants, properties that help reduce inflammation in blood vessels and stabilize their walls.

Why may fish oil pills work poorly in normal people?

This is because fish oil supplements should be administered at the right dose and only under specific medical conditions. They can help reduce triglycerides in people with very high triglyceride levels (more than 500 mg/dL). The dosage is 2 grams/day. A higher dose may, as several clinical trials have previously shown, increase the risk of atrial fibrillation.

Additionally, that fish oil supplement pill sitting on the counter may claim to “protect your heart health” on the label, but may not have the concentration you want. Talk to your doctor before taking the pill about the dosage and whether you should opt for medically prepared pills rather than commercial pills.

Some scientific evidence suggests that taking an unregulated dose of omega-3 fatty acids increases blood sugar levels in diabetics because it stimulates glucose production. Too much fish oil supplements can lead to bleeding gums and nosebleeds. And because it can lower blood pressure (BP), it might work on people with high BP, but negatively impact those with normal or low BP. Fish oil supplements may also interact with blood pressure-lowering medications you are taking.

How else can we protect heart health?

It may sound cliché, but follow the routine of a balanced diet free of saturated fats, sugars and processed foods, a moderate exercise regime of 150 minutes per week and sleep. Have regular heart screening after you turn 25, have your blood tests done and, if cholesterol is high, take statins and control your blood pressure with medication. In people with type 2 diabetes, both classes of drugs – SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP1 receptor agonists – can help prevent cardiovascular events while controlling blood sugar and body fat.