An omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid abundant in oily fish may help protect stroke patients from suffering another stroke. Previous studies have established that fish oil is beneficial for cardiovascular health. However, the effectiveness of purified Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish oil, in averting stroke remains unclear. To assess the positive effects of EPA in preventing repeat strokes, Japanese researchers randomly assigned 9,326 people with elevated cholesterol levels, to a low dose of pravastatin or simvastatin daily alone or with 1800 milligrams daily of EPA for five years. It was found that adding EPA did not reduce the occurrence of a first stroke but did lower recurrence rates in those with a history of stroke. The recurrent stroke rates were 6.8 percent in the EPA group versus 10.5 percent in the no-EPA group. The researchers attributed the findings to a variety of beneficial effects of EPA including lowering cholesterol and inflammation as well as production of platelets, a blood component that promotes the formation of blood clots. It may also guard against heart rhythm disturbances. The findings suggest that EPA may help in prevention of recurrent strokes.
Stroke
July 2008
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