Omega-3 shown to increase life expectancy in heart failure patients

PHILADELPHIA A daily, 1-gram dose of prescribed omega-3 acid ethyl esters reduces death in patients with chronic heart failure, according to a study presented at the European Cardiovascular Society Aug. 31 in Munich, Germany.

The GISSI Heart Failure study, published in last week’s online edition of The Lancet, involved 6,975 subjects in Italy who received either the daily dose of GlaxoSmithKline’s prescription omega-3 acid ethyl esters Lovaza or a placebo.

The study found that long-term treatment with the drug was effective in reducing both all causes of mortality and admissions to hospitals for reasons related to cardiovascular health.