title: Omega-3 Index and sudden cardiac death.
abstract: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an unresolved health issue, and responsible for 15% of all deaths in Western countries. Epidemiologic evidence, as well as evidence from clinical trials, indicates that increasing intake and high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) protect from SCD and other major adverse cardiac events. Levels of EPA+DHA are best assessed by the Omega-3 Index, representing the red cell fatty acid content of EPA+DHA. Work is in progress that will further define the value of the Omega-3 Index as a risk factor for SCD, other cardiac events, and as target for treatment with EPA+DHA.
authors.affiliation: Preventive Cardiology, Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik Innenstadt, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Ziemssenstr. 1, 80336 Munich, Germany.|Omegametrix, Am Klopferspitz 19, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6022-6624
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Von Schacky
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid