Doctors to prescribe fish oil for heart attack patients

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published revised guidelines for patients who have suffered a heart attack within the last 3 months. NICE recommends that doctors advise patients to consume a Mediterranean-style diet that is rich in vegetables, grains and olive oils and to cut back on meats and dairy products. They should also advise patients to consume 2–4 portions of oily fish to ensure that that are getting 7 g of omega-3 fatty acids a week. For patients who find it difficult to adapt to a new diet, NICE recommends that doctors prescribe omega-3 supplements to help reduce risk of further attacks.

<http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG48/niceguidance/pdf/English>, accessed June 26, 2007.