The American Heart Association reports that coronary heart disease is the number one killer of American men and women accounting for more than one of every five deaths in the United States. Of the 425,000 deaths from CHD in 2006, most were sudden death caused by cardiac arrest. Researchers have discovered that one of the best risk indicators for sudden cardiac death is the level of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA) found in the red cell membranes.
The HS-Omega-3 Index test is a measure of the omega-3 fatty acid (EPA + DHA) content of red blood cell membranes. The target HS-Omega-3 Index is 8% and above, a level that current research indicates is associated with the lowest risk for death from CHD. This is also a typical level in Japan, a country with one of the lowest rates of sudden cardiac death in the world. On the other hand, an Index of 4% or less (which is common in the US) indicates the highest risk.
There is no way to predict the HS-Omega-3 Index for any given person just by knowing how much fish he/she eats or how many capsules he/she takes. The only way to know for sure is to measure the HS-Omega-3 Index.
Evidence from population studies and randomized, controlled trials over the last 25 years has documented the cardio-protective effects of omega-3 oils. In 2002, these findings led the American Heart Association to recommend that all adults include at least 2 servings of fish per week (particularly fatty fish) in their diets. For patients with documented cardiovascular disease, the AHA recommended consumption of about 1 gram of omega-3 (EPA + DHA) per day, or even higher doses to manage hypertriglyceridemia. The latter would require the use of high-quality omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
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