One fish oil pill a day ‘won’t prevent heart problems but can help patients who have recently had a heart attack’

TAKING fish oil pills will not prevent a heart attack or stroke but may benefit patients with cardiovascular disease, say scientists.

The popular supplements are used by one-in-five Brits to protect against a range of illnesses.

But boffins warn there is no evidence Omega-3 capsules aid heart health for “the general population”.

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Professor Siscovick, of the US Heart Association, said: "People in the general population who are taking Omega-3 fish oil supplements are taking them in the absence of scientific data that shows any benefit of the supplements in preventing heart attacks, stroke, heart failure or death for people who do not have a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease."

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However, a single Omega-3 fish oil capsule a day prescribed by a doctor may help prevent death in patients who recently had a heart attack. The pills may also protect patients with heart failure.

Prof Siscovick, the lead author of the study, said: “Scientific findings from the past two decades show they are useful to recent attack victims. What is new is people with heart failure also may benefit.”

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot adequately pump blood.

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The scientific evidence for the latest recommendation comes from a clinical trial carried out in the US.

The study looked at patients who were at high risk for heart disease and who had a prior heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke or atrial fibrillation. The participants were given either an Omega-3 supplement or a dummy pill.

The findings showed a low dose of Omega-3 fish oil supplements reduced death and hospitalisation by 9 per cent for patients suffering from heart failure.

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Prof Siscovick added: "The advisory concludes that supplementation with Omega-3 fish oil may benefit patients with specific, clinical, cardiovascular disease indications, including patients with a recent prior heart attack and heart failure."

"Physicians should use this advisory as a guide to make decisions on whether Omega-3 fish oil supplements might be appropriate for some patients."