Omega-3 fatty acids improved cardiovascular outcomes, according to a meta-analysis

Jul, 2021 - By SMI

Omega-3 fatty acids enhanced cardiovascular outcomes and lowered cardiovascular mortality, when EPA was compared to EPA+DHA, the EPA trials demonstrated greater relative decreases in cardiovascular outcomes.

The reduction in cardiovascular risk was greatest when eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was taken alone rather than with another fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids have long been studied to see if they can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. The trial's findings led to the FDA, Health Canada, and the European Medicines Agency approving the prescription medication icosapent ethyl for lowering cardiovascular risk in people with high triglycerides, as well as modifications to global guidelines.

They looked at cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal cardiovascular events, haemorrhage, and atrial fibrillation, among other things. Omega-3 fatty acids enhanced cardiovascular outcomes and lowered cardiovascular mortality. When EPA was compared to EPA+DHA, the EPA trials demonstrated greater relative decreases in cardiovascular outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 38 randomised controlled trials of omega-3 fatty acids was undertaken by researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and other institutions.

Omega-3 fatty acids were proven to improve cardiovascular outcomes in general. The findings, which were recently published in clinical medicine, showed that EPA alone reduced cardiovascular risk much more than EPA+DHA supplementation.

The researchers point out that while both Environmental protection agency and Docosahexaenoic acid are omega-3 fatty acids, they have different chemical characteristics that affect their stability and degree of effect on cholesterol molecules and cell membranes. To present, no trials have looked at the impact of DHA on cardiovascular outcomes on its own. This meta-analysis reaffirms the importance of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly prescription EPA, and should inspire researchers to investigate the cardiovascular effects of EPA in a variety of therapeutic contexts.

Amarin provides research money to Brigham and Women's Hospital in recognition of Bhatt's contributions as the trial chair and international main investigator. The current study was not financially supported.