You may be thinking about taking fish oil to improve your health. But when it comes to atrial fibrillation (AFib), should you reel it in or cut it loose?
Does Taking Fish Oil Cause AFib?
Fish oil is a source of omega-3 fatty acids. You can get it from eating fish and seafood, including salmon, trout, oysters, and crabs. Non-fish sources include nuts and seeds.
You can take fish oil omega-3 fatty acid supplements for a variety of health reasons. There’s strong evidence that taking omega-3s can lower triglycerides, a kind of fat that builds up in your blood.
You can buy supplements over-the-counter, or your doctor may suggest prescription-strength fish oil, especially if your triglycerides are very high.
You may think you’re doing your heart a favor if you add fish oil to your routine if you are at risk of developing AFib or already have it. But that’s not always the case.
Studies about the benefits associated with the use of fish oil have had mixed results, but most support findings that the benefits associated with regular use of fish oil depend on the present heart health of those who are taking it.
One study published in 2024 that involved almost a half million participants found that regular use of fish oil supplements in people with no known cardiovascular disease increased their relative risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke.
Conversely, those with known cardiovascular disease saw that fish oil supplements helped keep them from transitioning from atrial fibrillation to major adverse cardiovascular events, atrial fibrillation to myocardial infarction, and heart failure to death.
Should You Take Fish Oil if You Have AFib?
There is no clear randomized, controlled data to tell you what to do.
Some lifestyle factors, such as gaining weight and drinking too much alcohol. might worsen atrial fibrillation. Taking fish oil would fall in this lifestyle change category.
If you’re on fish oil and your atrial fibrillation gets worse, you should stop taking it.
It’s also important to know that fish oil supplements can interfere with drugs you may take to prevent a stroke. Anticoagulants help lessen clotting and “thin” your blood. If you take fish oil with them, you could bleed.
Speak with your doctor about your heart health and whether you might benefit from taking fish oil.
