Fish oils prevent bad cholesterol accumulation in arteries

Eating tuna, sardines, salmon and other so-called cold water fish seems to protect people against clogged arteries.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also known to lower triglycerides, a type of fat often found in the bloodstream.
The current study was carried out in three separate populations of miceone was fed a balanced diet, one a diet resembling a “Western” diet high in saturated fat, and a third was fed a high fish fat diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
The researchers observed that the fatty acids contained in fish oil markedly inhibit the entry of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) into arteries, and, consequently, much less cholesterol collects in these vessels.
According to them, this is related to the ability of those fatty acids to markedly decrease lipoprotein lipase, a molecule that traps LDL in the arterial wall.
The research team say that their finding may help improve the scientific understanding of omega-3 fatty acids benefits on heart health.
Dr. Deckelbaum says that people can obtain these health benefits by increasing fish intake, or by using supplements that contain the “long-chain” fatty acids, EPA and DHA, which are found in cold water fish.
The research was published by the American Heart Association’’s Arteriolosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. (ANI)

Heart muscle gets its blood supply from arteries that start in the aorta and run on the surface of the heart, known as the coronary arteries. The right coronary artery supplies the right ventricle of the heart and the inferior (lower) portion of the left ventricle. The left anterior descending coronary artery supplies the majority of the left ventricle, while the circumflex artery supplies the back of the left ventricle.

Heart Attack Causes

Over time, cholesterol buildup can occur in these blood vessels in the form of plaque. This narrows the artery and can restrict the amount of blood that can flow through it. If the artery becomes too narrow, it cannot supply enough blood to the heart muscle when it becomes stressed. Just like arm muscles that begin to hurt if you lift too much, or legs that ache when you run too fast; the heart muscle will ache if it doesn’t get adequate blood supply. This ache is called angina.

If the plaque ruptures, a small blood clot can form within the blood vessel and acutely block the blood flow. When that part of the heart loses its blood supply completely, the muscle dies. This is called a heart attack, or an MI – a myocardial infarction (myo=muscle +cardial=heart; infarction=death due to lack of oxygen).

Heart Attack Symptoms

Classic symptoms of a heart attack may include:

• chest pain associated with shortness of breath,
• profuse sweating, and
• nausea.

The chest pain may be described as tightness, fullness, a pressure, or an ache.

Unfortunately, many people do not have these classic signs. Other presentations of heart attack may include:

• indigestion,
• jaw ache,
• pain only in the shoulders or arms,
• shortness of breath, or
• nausea and vomiting.

This list is not complete, since many times people can experience a heart attack with minimal symptoms. In women and the elderly, heart attack symptoms can be atypical and sometimes so vague as to be easily missed. The only complaint may be extreme weakness or fatigue.