Is fish good for the heart or not?

Fish is good for you. It’s low in fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids. Most studies have found a positive health benefit from eating fish but, occasionally, a study suggests something different. A recent study of 17,000 men has found that those who ate five or more servings of fish per week had a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation.

• Men who ate fish once a month or less had no increased risk of atrial fibrillation
• Men who ate fish two to four times a week had a 40 percent increase in risk
• Men who had five or more servings of aquatic fare each week had a 55% increase in risk

Despite these results, previous evidence has found that fish protects against ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death as well as having generally beneficial effects for the cardiovascular system. Researchers think perhaps the negative effects of eating fish may be more significant in younger men without pre-existing cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Anthony Aizer:

The message of this study is not to stop eating fish. Atrial fibrillation is a complex condition that requires the interaction of a number of factors to develop. Fish may have different effects on different people. Lifestyle and dietary habits need to be tailored on an individual basis to promote overall health.

There you have it. I’ll go have my lunch of fish now.

MedPage Today, May 18, 2006

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