The heart is a rhythmic electromechanical pump.
The normal electrical activity in the heart is controlled by the movement of ions through specialized channels in the membranes of cardiac cells.
Several epidemiological studies suggest a cellular mechanism through which Omega 3 fish oils (DHA/EPA) affect ion channels to reduce the risk of arrhythmia.
There are six principal ion currents that contribute to the nodal and pacemaking cell action potential and ten that underlie the myocardial action potential. Changes in channel functioning, affect action potential repolarization and can lead to life threatening arrhythmias. Fish oils appear to help regulate ion channel functioning, and as such keep the heart beating rhythmically.
The myocardium forms the bulk of the heart and is composed mainly of cardiac muscle.
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