Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring parameters in patients with mild essential hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of low doses of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring parameters in a group of mild essential hypertensives.


METHODS
We studied 24 consecutive essential hypertensive patients from our outpatient clinic with mild hypertension (diastolic blood pressure < or = 105 mmHg), no previous treatment for 4 weeks at least and no other disease.


METHODS
After a 3-month run-in period, the patients entered an intervention phase and were given 3 g omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (85% eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid concentrate) daily for 4 months; this phase was followed by a 4-month washout period. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed at the end of each phase; erythrocyte membrane fatty acids were assessed to check compliance.


RESULTS
After 4 months of treatment, erythrocyte omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly increased but average systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the heart rate did not significantly change; no significant variations were recorded in blood pressure or heart rate variability (assessed as blood pressure and heart rate SD) nor in the diurnal blood pressure rhythm. After washout, a significant decrease was observed in erythrocyte omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids but the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring parameters were not substantially modified.


CONCLUSIONS
The present data show that low doses of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a single treatment are not effective in lowering blood pressure or the heart rate in mild essential hypertensive patients, despite a significant change in fatty acid cell membrane composition. Nor does this treatment seem likely to affect blood pressure variability or the diurnal rhythm.
Institute of Medical Pathology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Verona, Italy.
C
C
Russo
O
O
Olivieri
D
D
Girelli
M
M
Azzini
A M
AM
Stanzial
P
P
Guarini
S
S
Friso
L
L
De Franceschi
R
R
Corrocher
D001794:Blood Pressure; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D004032:Diet; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3