A small study published in the American Journal of Cardiology (2006; 97(8):1127–1130) examined the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in men with a history of myocardial infarction and reduced cardiac function.
The study involved 18 male participants who had previously experienced a heart attack and had left ventricular ejection fractions below 40%, indicating impaired cardiac pumping ability. Participants were divided into two groups. For a period of four months, one group received omega-3 fatty acid supplementation providing 225 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 585 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) daily, while the second group served as a control.
At the end of the study period, the group receiving omega-3 supplementation showed:
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A reduction in resting heart rate, from an average of 73 beats per minute to 68 beats per minute
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Improved recovery following exercise, suggesting enhanced autonomic or cardiovascular responsiveness
These changes were not observed in the control group.
Context
Resting heart rate and post-exercise recovery are both considered markers of cardiovascular efficiency and autonomic balance. Although the study was small, the findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may influence heart rate regulation and recovery dynamics in individuals with compromised cardiac function.
As with many pilot studies, the results are best viewed as preliminary and not necessarily generalizable to all patients with heart disease. Nonetheless, they add to a growing body of research examining the physiological effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiac performance.
