Omega‐3 fatty acids in coronary heart disease: Recent updates and future perspectives

• Published in: Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology Vol. 46; no. 1; pp. 11 - 18
• Main Authors: Ajith, Thekkuttuparambil A., Jayakumar, Thankamani G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.01.2019
• Subjects: Antihypertensives; Cardiotonic Agents - pharmacology; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Clinical trials; Coronary artery disease; Coronary Disease - prevention & control; coronary heart disease; cyclooxygenase; Dietary supplements; Docosahexaenoic acid; Eicosapentaenoic acid; Etiology; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - pharmacology; Fish; Fish oils; Glycerol; Heart diseases; Humans; Inflammation; lipoxygenase; Meals; Medical research; myocardial infarction; Oils & fats; omega‐3 fatty acids; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Risk management; lipoxygenase; cyclooxygenase; coronary heart disease; omega-3 fatty acids; myocardial infarction
• ISSN: 0305-1870; 1440-1681; 1440-1681
• DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13034

Summary Incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) increases worldwide with varying etiological factors. In addition to the control of risk factors, dietary modification has been recommended to reduce the prevalence. Omega‐3 (ω‐3) fatty acids (FAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), of fish oil are beneficial for the prevention of CHD. The effect can be ascribed to anti‐inflammatory, vasodilating, antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive activities and lowering of triacyl glycerol level. The American Heart Association advises two fish meals per week in subjects without CHD or supplementation of 1 g of EPA plus DHA per day in subjects with CHD. Despite the beneficial effects of EPA/DHA reported in some of the clinical trials, results of many others were inconsistent that can be ascribed to short duration of studies, low doses of ω‐3 FAs, variations in the EPA:DHA ratio, selection of patients with different risk factors or interaction of ω‐3 FAs with drugs used in the therapy. Therefore, well designed clinical trials in various populations are warranted. This article discusses the current situation and future prospective of ω‐3 FAs in CHD.