Doctors are asked to suggest their heart patients to either eat oily fish or take a dose of omega 3 components daily to lower the risk of heart attacks. The rich sources of omega 3 are oily fish, such as mackerel, fresh tuna, salmon, herring and trout. The suggestions on heart health issued from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice). It suggests heart attack patients — to consume oily fish and follow a Mediterranean rich diet and if they cannot eat oily fish — at least take a daily dose of omega 3 supplements. The pill will lower the risk of repeat heart attack. The research related to omega 3 and heart health shows improvement in the survival rates in heart attack patients and also patient’s cardiovascular function improved. Nice has recommended that the heart patients should eat at least 2 to 4 portions of oily fish in a week, and if they cannot eat a fish, then at least 1g daily dose of omega 3 components should be taken by them. The heart patients will be adviced to give up smoking, follow weight management and do exercise regularly. The heart patients will also be asked to consume a Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, olive oil and fish, but meat should be consumed in less amount. There are many other benefits that are likely to be attained by taking omega 3 this way but as the fish are fully nutritious and contain low saturated fat so it would be beneficial to consume fish than to eat a capsule. In UK at least 840,000 male and 400,000 female have a heart attack at some or the other point in their life, and nearly 70,000 dying each year reportedly. Dr Gill Leng, Nice implementation systems director, said in prepared statement: The advice will help to ensure a coherent and consistent approach amongst clinicians of all disciplines and places of practice. Its overall aim is to provide the growing number of people who now survive a heart attack with the good quality systematic care that is essential to improving long term outcomes and quality of life. Image credit Source