Lower Omega-3 Levels Linked to Cognitive Heart Failure in Older Adults

Individual and total omega-3 levels were associated with a lower incidence of congestive heart failure in older adults according to a recent study.

The link between long-chain omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA found in fish oil and incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) exposure was studied through a prospective cohort study with  4  U.S. communities and 2735 U.S. adults without prevalent heart disease who were enrolled in the Cardiovascular Health Study from 1992 to 2006. Their blood DHA/ EPA levels and other cardiovascular risk factors were measured in 1992 by using standardized methods. Relationships with incident cognitive heart failure were assessed. The results showed that the risk was approximately 50% lower in the people who had omega-3 levels in the top 25% compared to the bottom 25%. They concluded that circulating individual and total omega-3 fatty acid concentrations are associated with lower incidence of cognitive heart failure in older adults.

Source: Circulating Long-Chain {omega}-3 Fatty Acids and Incidence of Congestive Heart Failure in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study: A Cohort Study.Ann Intern Med. 2011 Aug 2;155(3):160-70.