Key result
The omega-3 index, reflecting red blood cell EPA and DHA levels, is proposed as a reliable risk factor for sudden cardiac death, with epidemiological risk ranging from 0.1 at 6.5% to 1.0 at 3.3%.
Why the study?
Is the omega-3 index a reliable risk factor for sudden cardiac death in the general population?
Is the omega-3 index a reliable risk factor for sudden cardiac death in the general population?
The omega-3 index is proposed as a reliable, standardized biomarker to assess the risk of sudden cardiac death and monitor EPA/DHA therapy.
Should not yet guide SCD risk assessment or supplementation; leaves open prospective validation of omega-3 index utility.
A reliable risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD) for the general population remains to be defined. We propose the omega-3 index, defined as the combined percentage of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) in red blood cell membranes. It reflects the EPA + DHA status of a given individual. It can be determined by a standardised and reproducible laboratory procedure. Several lines of evidence support the omega-3 index as a risk factor for SCD: in epidemiological studies, a steep dependence of risk for SCD and the omega-3 index has been observed between 6.5% (risk 0.1) and 3.3% (risk 1.0). EPA + DHA are antiarrhythmic on the supraventricular and ventricular levels. Dietary EPA + DHA reduce the incidence of SCD. Cardiac societies recommend EPA + DHA for prevention of SCD. The omega-3 index can assess risk for SCD and monitor therapy with EPA + DHA. Moreover, it compares very favourably with other risk factors for SCD.
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Schacky et al. (2007) conducted a review in Sudden cardiac death (SCD). Omega-3 index (EPA + DHA) was evaluated on Sudden cardiac death (SCD). The omega-3 index, reflecting red blood cell EPA and DHA levels, is proposed as a reliable risk factor for sudden cardiac death, with epidemiological risk ranging from 0.1 at 6.5% to 1.0 at 3.3%.
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