A recent study has found that fish oil might actually increase the risk of stroke and heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation.
A recent study, published in the journal BMJ Medicine, tracked the habits of over 400,000 individuals in the United Kingdom, aged 40 to 69, for a period of 12 years. The study focused specifically on those who regularly consumed fish oil supplements.
Fish oil supplements have gained recognition for their ability to support cardiovascular health due to their rich content of omega-3 fatty acids.
According to the research, individuals without a pre-existing heart condition may have an increased risk when taking fish oil supplements. However, for those who already have cardiovascular problems, the supplement may actually help to reduce the risks.
The study revealed that individuals who regularly took fish oil supplements had a 13 percent increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation and a 5 percent higher risk of experiencing a stroke, especially if they had no pre-existing heart condition.
Patients who have been diagnosed with heart disease may benefit from taking fish oil supplements, as they have been found to reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation by 15 percent.
The authors emphasized the need for additional research to understand the relationship between fish oil supplements and the development and prognosis of heart disease events. They pointed out that the benefits and risks associated with these supplements were not consistently observed throughout the study.