For some people, the disease advances quickly in their 20s and 30s, while others may not have issues until their 50s or 60s. Researchers aren’t exactly sure how or why it begins. It’s believed that plaque starts to build up in arteries after the lining becomes damaged.

Angioplasty is a procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to your legs. Fatty deposits can build up inside the arteries and block blood flow. A stent is a small, metal mesh tube that keeps the artery open. Angioplasty and stent placement are two ways to open blocked peripheral arteries.

Through angioplasty, our cardiologists are able to treat patients with blocked or clogged coronary arteries quickly without surgery. During the procedure, a cardiologist threads a balloon-tipped catheter to the site of the narrowed or blocked artery and then inflates the balloon to open the vessel.

The 3 main omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial for cardiovascular health are α-linoleic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ALA is primarily found in plant-based foods such as olive, soybean, canola, walnut, and flaxseed oils, and in walnuts and flaxseeds, as well.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) claims that omega-3 supplements containing EPA and DHA are safe if doses don’t exceed 3,000 mg per day. On the other hand, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) notes that up to 5,000 mg per day from supplements is safe. These cautions are in place for several reasons.

Because most of the benefits of fish oil are associated with long-term use, you can take it at any time of day. That said, splitting your supplement into two smaller doses in the morning and at night can reduce acid reflux.

In high doses, omega-3s have blood-thinning effects. Speak to your doctor if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinning medications. Cod liver oil is also very high in vitamin A, which can be harmful in large doses ( 52 ).

Omega-3 supplements may interact with drugs that affect blood clotting. Omega-3 supplements may extend the time it takes for a cut to stop bleeding.

Fish oil is a natural anticoagulant, which means it can prevent the blood from clotting. This property may help explain some of its heart health benefits, since thinning the blood may improve cardiovascular health. Omega-3s may increase bleeding risk when a person takes them with specific anticoagulant or medication.

If you are a heart patient who is taking blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin®), you need to be careful not to overdo vitamin K. Blood thinners are often prescribed for people at risk for developing harmful blood clots.

Olive oil contains antioxidants that fight free radicals and inflammation, which is great for thinning the blood.