ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients experience improved outcomes if they regularly eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, according to new findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
The study focused on eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Foods high in EPA include fatty fish and fish oils. Foods high in ALA include flaxseed, chia, hemp, walnuts and vegetable oils.
The authors explored data from 944 STEMI patients treated at a single facility from Feb. 23, 2011, to June 30, 2016. All patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). While 211 patients experienced a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), another 130 were readmitted for cardiovascular-related reasons and 108 died.
Overall, the team found that elevated EPA levels were associated with a lower risk of experiencing a MACE or being readmitted for cardiovascular issues. Also, elevated ALA levels were associated with lower all-cause mortality.
“Heart attacks are still very common, and aside from treatments to keep the patient alive, researchers have been exploring approaches to secure the quality of life of the patient after the heart attack,” co-author Aleix Sala-Vila, PhD, of the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain, said in a prepared statement. “What is novel about this research is that it shows that ALA and EPA appear to be partners in improving the long-term outcomes of heart attack sufferers. Consuming both marine and plant-based omega-3s, from foods like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed, seems to offer the greatest protection.”
The study’s authors concluded by noting that, for some patients, eating foods rich in these acids “might serve as an integrative strategy for improving the quality of life and life expectancy in the event they experience a myocardial infarction.”
“These results might also explain, in part, the paradoxical observation that countries with customarily high seafood intake, such as Japan and Spain, have lower coronary artery disease mortality rates, despite a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors,” the team wrote.
The California Walnut Commission (CWC) helped fund this study. Sala-Vila reported receiving grants and support from the CWC.
The full analysis is available here.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.