Palpitations, Skipped Beats, Fish Oil.

Is Fish Oil good or bad to stop paliptations/skipped beats? I saw some newer research that seemed to suggest that it had no positive effect, even making them worse for some people. I have been taking 1200mg a day, and noticed no real change in mine. I thought I would stop taking them until I get some conclusive answers. How about Aloe Vera? Is that worth a try? My palipitations vary, from about 7-10 a day, and sometimes skipped beats that are very noticeable. Ive had every test done imaginable, but plan on asking my doctor for a second holter monitor just to be on the safe side of things. It is reassuring to know that others are dealing with this condition just like me.

[BobRBob]

Where did you read that fish oil may not be beneficial for arrhythmias? I have read only the opposite but, interestingly, my personal experience has not been positive so I have stopped taking them.

[kyfan]

It was some European study of patients with palpitations that took fish oil, and some reported no positive results and some even reported worse results. It was just interesting that fish oil which supposedly is good for the heart might make arrythmias worse. (wouldnt you know it)

[itdood]

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in June 15, 2005.  

Objective:  "To determine whether omega-3 PUFAs have beneficial antiarrhythmic effects in patients with a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). "

The conclusions was: "Among patients with a recent episode of sustained ventricular arrhythmia and an ICD, fish oil supplementation does not reduce the risk of VT/VF and may be proarrhythmic in some patients."

There was another study recently publsihed entitled "The Pro-arrhythmic effects of fish oils".  Saravanan and Davidson BMJ.2009; 338: b393.  Published  February 2, 2009 that expanded on and further confirmed the 2005 study.

The one in 2005 was conducted in the USA somewhere, I forget where.  The latest study was conducted in Manchester, UK.

Sooo, these studies were focused on VT and folks that required an ICD as a result of their VT.  The study was trying to determine if Fish Oil would lower the incidence of VF and VT.  The ICDs in the study population were used to gather data.  Both studies concluded that Fish Oil was pro-arrythmic, meaning the folks who recieved fish oil had more incidents than the control group (who took a placebo).

[kyfan]

Thanks for clarifying this. I wasnt sure the origin of the study. It shows that people shouldnt put all their eggs in the fish oil basket! I have stopped taking it completely for fear it will make the palps worse. I have yet to find a combination that will work for me. I take 250 mg of magnesium oxide, but plan on starting a larger dose of chelated magnesium. How about cq-10? Should I stick to it?

[LindaTX]

I recently started taking the GNC brand of fish oil capsules, 1 a day (EPA-DHA) combined 300mg.  It has completely stopped my pvc's.  Maybe you've been taking too high a dose.  Or maybe it just works for some, not all.  Skippi's done a lot of research on it, I think.  I'm just really glad I started it.