Cardiovascular effects of marine omega-3 fatty acids.
Much evidence shows that the marine omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid have beneficial effects in various cardiac disorders, and their use is recommended in guidelines for management of patients after myocardial infarction. However, questions have been raised about their usefulness alongside optimum medical therapies with agents proven to reduce risk of cardiac events in high-risk patients. Additionally, there is some evidence for a possible pro-arrhythmic effect in subsets of cardiac patients. Some uncertainly exists about the optimum dose needed to obtain beneficial effects and the relative merit of dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids versus supplements. We review evidence for the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on various cardiac disorders and the risk factors for cardiac disease. We also assess areas of uncertainty needing further research.
Saravanan
Palaniappan
P
Cardiovascular Research Group, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. drplsuk@yahoo.co.uk
Davidson
Neil C
NC
Schmidt
Erik B
EB
Calder
Philip C
PC
D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure; D006801:Humans
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3