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Omega-3 polyunsaturated Fatty acids and heart rate variability
1Department of Nephrology, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital Aalborg, Denmark.
Frontiers in Physiology
|November 24, 2011
Summary
Omega-3 fatty acids may improve heart rate variability, a marker of autonomic control. This suggests a potential mechanism for how omega-3s protect against sudden cardiac death.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are abundant in neural and cardiac tissues.
- The autonomic nervous system plays a role in sudden cardiac death (SCD).
- Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive marker of cardiac autonomic control and a predictor of SCD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between omega-3 PUFA and heart rate variability (HRV).
- To explore the potential cardioprotective effects of omega-3 PUFA supplementation.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies examining HRV in various populations (ischemic heart disease, diabetes, renal failure, healthy subjects, children) in relation to omega-3 PUFA levels.
- Analysis of studies involving omega-3 PUFA supplementation and its impact on HRV.
Main Results:
- Studies show a positive association between cellular omega-3 PUFA content and HRV.
- Omega-3 PUFA supplementation appears to increase HRV.
- Increased HRV may contribute to the observed reduction in SCD and arrhythmic events with omega-3 supplementation.
Conclusions:
- Omega-3 PUFA may modulate cardiac autonomic control, potentially explaining their protective effect against SCD.
- Further research is needed due to inconsistencies in current study findings.
- Omega-3 supplementation may be a viable strategy to improve cardiovascular autonomic function.
Keywords:
autonomic functionheart rate variabilityomega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acidssudden cardiac deathMore Related Videos
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