Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help Support Heart Rate and Blood Flow

The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when an area in the lower part of the aorta becomes very large or balloons out. A new study suggests that supplementation with long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may help improve a measure of aortic stiffness and heart rate in people with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Thirty men with abdominal aortic aneurysm participated in the study. They received 1.8 grams of omega-3’s or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Measures of vascular stiffness, heart rate, and central blood pressure were evaluated at baseline, week 3, and week 12.

Participants in the supplement group saw a decrease in pulse wave velocity from 14.2 to 12.8. Pulse wave velocity is a measure of arterial stiffness. They also saw a decrease in heart rate from 63 bpm to 58 bpm. No changes were seen in the placebo group.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast.It was published online ahead of print on December 31, 2020 in the journal Nutrients.