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Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help Heart Attack Survivors Heal

BOSTON (CBS) - New research finds a common supplement may help heart attack patients heal.

Jim Kelley suffered a heart attack eight years ago but didn't have the classic symptoms.

"I didn't know it was my heart," he said. "I just wasn't feeling good."

The now 80-year old took part in a study at Brigham and Women's Hospital to see if omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil would help his heart heal.

Jim's doctor, Raymond Kwong, a cardiologist at the Brigham, authored the study.

Dr. Raymond Kwong
Dr. Raymond Kwong. (WBZ-TV)

"On average," says Dr. Kwong, " If they were given fish oil, there was a six-percent improvement in the heart function and also six-percent improvement in suppressing scarring formation in the heart muscle."

The study looked at 360 patients who got either high doses of omega-3s or a placebo for six months after their heart attack. Researchers used MRIs to look at the hearts before and after.

Heart failure is a big concern after a heart attack, because the heart's function and shape can change afterwards. Researchers are hoping the supplements can protect against future problems down the road.

Dr. Kwong cautions that heart attack survivors shouldn't just start taking fish oil.

"The medication we used was an FDA approved purified form of fish oil," explains Dr. Kwong. "Whether that has the same components as what one can buy as a dietary supplement remains to be further studied."

Patients in the study didn't suffer any serious side effects. Six months after taking the fish oil, doctors saw a significant difference in Jim's heart.

Jim barely skipped a beat after his heart attack.

"I'm terrific like I never had a heart attack," he said.

Jim feels like he can do anything, and he is staying active .

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, also found the Omega 3s may have some anti-inflammatory benefits for heart attack survivors.

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