Numerous studies show that Omega-3 EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) contribute to your cardiovascular health in a variety of ways. The American Heart Association agrees that Omega-3 EPA and DHA are essential to a healthy cardiovascular system. Specifically, it recognizes the following benefits from these essential nutritents: 

• Reduced risk of strokes and heart attacks
• Reduction in blood thickness (viscosity)
• Relaxation of blood vessels (vasodilation)
• Lowering of blood pressure
• Reduced risk of blood clots in coronary arteries (thrombosis)
• Protection against heartbeat abnormalities (arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia, fibrillation) 
• Reduction in sudden cardiac death
• Reduction of triglycerides (blood fat levels)
• Protection against hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
• Prevention of plaque rupture
• Good overall heart health

Risk Reduction of Heart Attacks and Strokes

Most people don’t think of heart attacks and strokes as related. However, both are usually caused by the same thing: a piece of plaque that breaks away from an artery lining and causes the creation of a blood clot. The clot then creates a dam in the affected blood vessel, cutting off the flow of blood. If the blocked vessel leads to the heart, a heart attack occurs. If the blocked vessel leads to the brain, a stroke occurs.

Studies indicate that Omega-3 EPA and DHA can help reduce your risk of heart attacks and strokes in several ways. These essential fats appear to prevent or slow down the buildup of plaque deposits in your arteries, which helps keep your blood flowing normally and may reduce your risk of developing blood clots. There’s also evidence that Omega-3 EPA and DHA can help stabilize plaques that may have already accumulated in your arteries.

Omega-3 EPA and DHA may help reduce your risk of heart attacks and strokes, they may also make any heart attacks or strokes you do have milder. For example, research suggests that people who consume higher levels of EPA and DHA have a lower risk of sudden death from heart attack than those who don’t. They also tend to have less severe heart attacks and better post-attack survival rates.  In fact, the Physician’s Health Study found a reduced risk, of up to 90% from sudden death due to heart attack in participants with higher Omega-3 EPA and DHA blood levels.

Lowered Blood Viscosity, Relaxation of Blood Vessels and Reduced Blood Pressure

Research suggests that Omega-3 EPA and DHA may help lower the viscosity of your blood, relax your blood vessels, and slightly lower your blood pressure. These actions all help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. When your blood is thinner, blood platelets are less likely to clump together and form clots. When your blood vessels are relaxed they allow more blood to flow through. And when your blood pressure is lowered your heart doesn’t have to work as hard. All of these factors make it easier for your heart to pump blood throughout your body. These benefits are particularly beneficial to those of you who have existing heart conditions, or partially clogged arteries, because they help reduce the risk of thrombotic heart attacks and strokes.

Risk Reduction of Heartbeat Abnormalities

By deterring plaque buildup in your arteries, and by improving your overall cardiac function, research suggests that Omega-3 EPA and DHA can help reduce the risk of heartbeat abnormalities. When your heart is beating regularly, it’s easier for it to pump blood in a consistent and efficient manner. Studies suggest that Omega-3 EPA and DHA may be tied to the prevention of heartbeat abnormalities such as:

• Arrhythmia
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Fibrillation

Triglyceride Lowering

An elevated level of triglycerides (a kind of blood fat) is a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Research indicates that Omega-3 EPA and DHA may help reduce the amount of triglycerides in your blood by reducing triglyceride synthesis in the liver.

Risk Reduction of Plaque Buildup and Hardening of the Arteries

Studies suggest that Omega-3 EPA and DHA help prevent plaque from depositing on the walls of your arteries, which keeps them from hardening (a process known as atherosclerosis). Also, when you regularly consume Omega-3 EPA and DHA, you may reduce your risk of having blood platelets adhere to the surface of your blood vessels to initiate a clot (or thrombus). Clean arteries equate to good heart health!

Risk Reduction of Plaque Rupture

If you already have plaque deposits in your arteries, research suggests that Omega-3 EPA and DHA may play a role in stabilizing them so that they’re less likely to rupture. Usually, it’s the byproducts of these plaque deposit ruptures, rather than the deposits themselves, that clog your arteries enough to cause heart attacks and strokes. By stabilizing plaque deposits, and preventing them from rupturing, Omega-3 EPA and DHA may reduce your risk of these life-threatening health events.

Good Overall Heart Health

As you can see, Omega-3 EPA and DHA may have many heart health benefits, including decreasing your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other vascular disorders. Whether your heart is healthy or diseased, it’s never too late to start thinking about how to take care of your most vital organ. Many doctors, nutritionists, and other health professionals, as well as health organizations worldwide agree: Omega-3 EPA and DHA is simply good for your overall heart health.

Now that you’ve learned about the benefits of Omega-3s, you can start to incorporate them into your diet and you’ll be well on your way to a healthier heart — and  a healthier life!

MEG-3® as Your Source of Omega-3 EPA and DHA

Your heart is vital to your overall health, and Omega-3 EPA and DHA are vital to your heart. MEG-3® can supply you with the Omega-3 EPA and DHA your body needs in a convenient and worry-free manner. Available as a dietary supplement, and as a healthy food ingredient, MEG-3® provides you with Omega-3 EPA/DHA that exceed worldwide quality and purity standards. Along with a well-balanced diet, supplements or foods that contain MEG-3® ensure that you and your family are getting adequate amounts of these two essential nutrients.

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