Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects over 8.5 million Americans — and many don’t even know they have it. New research published in Lipids this year adds to growing evidence that low levels of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, may increase the risk of developing PAD.
This post explores how the Omega-3 Index — a measure of EPA and DHA in red blood cells — correlates with PAD risk and how omega-3s may help reduce inflammation and improve vascular health.
What Is Peripheral Artery Disease?
Most people are familiar with atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries that supply the heart. PAD is a similar condition, but it affects arteries in the legs and arms.
As plaque builds up in the arteries of the extremities, it restricts blood flow. This often leads to pain during physical activity, known as intermittent claudication, which is your muscles’ way of signaling they aren’t receiving enough oxygen-rich blood.
Common Symptoms of PAD:
-
Cramping in the hips, thighs, or calves during activity
-
Coldness in one leg or foot
-
Sores that won’t heal on legs or feet
-
Skin discoloration or shiny skin on the legs
-
Hair loss or slow toenail growth
-
Weak or absent pulse in legs or feet
-
Erectile dysfunction in men
Who Is Most at Risk for PAD?
PAD becomes increasingly common with age — especially after 50 years old. According to the Mayo Clinic, key risk factors include:
-
Smoking (doubles to six-times your risk)
-
Diabetes and high blood pressure
-
High cholesterol and obesity
-
A family history of PAD or heart disease
-
Elevated homocysteine (a protein linked to tissue damage)
Despite its prevalence, PAD often goes underdiagnosed because symptoms are subtle or mistaken for general aging. Yet untreated PAD can lead to severe complications, including limb amputation, heart attack, or stroke.
Diagnosing PAD
Healthcare providers use several tools to detect PAD:
-
Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
-
Doppler ultrasound (Duplex Imaging)
-
CT angiography or MRI
-
Traditional angiography
But there may be another tool to add to that list: the Omega-3 Index test.
How Omega-3s Can Help: A Closer Look at the Science
Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, offer powerful protection for the cardiovascular system. Previous studies suggest omega-3s:
-
Improve endothelial function (lining of the arteries)
-
Promote vasodilation for better blood flow
-
Exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
-
Prevent arterial plaque formation and enhance plaque stability
-
Reduce arterial stiffness over time
New Study Findings
The recent Lipids study assessed 145 patients with PAD and compared them to 34 healthy controls. Researchers found:
-
PAD patients had an Omega-3 Index of 5%, compared to 6% in controls
-
After adjusting for smoking, diabetes, blood pressure, and age, the Omega-3 Index remained a statistically significant factor
-
Every 1% decrease in the Omega-3 Index increased PAD risk by 39%
-
Smoking history also increased PAD risk by 4% per pack-year
This study reinforces the hypothesis that omega-3 deficiency contributes to vascular inflammation, which can fuel PAD progression.
The Inflammation Connection
Another earlier study linked lower Omega-3 Index levels with higher inflammation markers, such as:
-
C-reactive protein (CRP)
-
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
-
ICAM-1 and TNF-α
In patients undergoing evaluation for PAD, researchers found that a standard deviation drop in Omega-3 Index led to a 38% increase in CRP — even after adjusting for age, BMI, and smoking. The conclusion? Low omega-3 status is closely tied to vascular inflammation in PAD patients.
Why Omega-3 Testing Matters
These findings make a compelling case for including Omega-3 Index testing in routine cardiovascular assessments — especially for those at risk of PAD.
An index of 8% or higher is considered optimal. Yet most PAD patients in these studies hovered around 5% or below, signaling both deficiency and increased disease risk.
What You Can Do to Lower Your PAD Risk
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Heart Association recommend the following lifestyle changes:
-
Quit smoking
-
Manage blood pressure and cholesterol
-
Control blood sugar if diabetic
-
Engage in regular physical activity
-
Eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats
Add One More Step: Optimize Your Omega-3 Intake
To reduce inflammation and support blood vessel function, eat an anti inflammatory diet which includes EPA and DHA-rich foods like:
-
Salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring
-
Fortified eggs or omega-3 enhanced dairy
-
Fish oil or omega-3 supplements with clearly labeled EPA + DHA content
Support Vascular Health with Ballstad Omega-3
If you're looking for a science-backed way to improve circulation and reduce PAD risk, Ballstad Omega-3 can help you reach — and maintain — optimal Omega-3 Index levels.
Here’s what makes Ballstad different:
-
High EPA + DHA content to support arterial health
-
Molecular distillation for purity and safety
-
Sustainably sourced from pristine marine environments
-
Clinically aligned dosing to help lower inflammation and improve endothelial function
Whether you’re managing early signs of vascular disease or proactively caring for your heart, Ballstad Omega-3 is your daily ally in cardiovascular wellness.
Credit: OmegaQuant Website
