Omega-3 fatty acids, abundant in fish oil, are known to be good for the heart. Studies have shown that people who eat more fish rich in these fats have lower rates of heart problems and less risk of dying from heart disease compared to those who eat less. Those data have fueled a booming business in over-the-counter fish oil supplements.

In a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and presented at the American Heart Association annual meeting, researchers report that a highly purified version of omega-3 fats, called icosapent ethyl, can lower the risk of a number of heart-related events, including heart attack, stroke and angina. It can also reduce the risk of dying from heart problems.

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