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Omega 3

Where Do We Stand?

High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention volume 15, pages 225–230 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids that are crucial components of plasma membrane phospholipids. They influence cell structure and function and have anti-thrombotic and anti-arrhythmic properties, thus potentially exerting a favourable action on primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. However, the supposed beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids in the management of cardiovascular risk has been evaluated only in a relatively small number of interventional studies, with results that are not consistent and are only suggestive of a putative beneficial effect of omega-3 supplementation on the prevention of cardiovascular mortality. Benefits have been reported mainly for the prevention of sudden death in patients with recent myocardial infarction and for primary and secondary prevention of nonfatal cardiac events in populations with high fish intake. Therefore, only ongoing trials will provide definitive data to elucidate whether omega-3 fatty acids could represent a new therapeutic approach for cardiovascular disease.

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Fig. 1.
Table I

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Acknowledgements

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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  1. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56100, Pisa, Italy

    Daniele Versari, Elena Daghini, Guido Salvetti &  Antonio Salvetti

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  1. Daniele Versari
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  2. Elena Daghini
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  4. Antonio Salvetti
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Correspondence to Antonio Salvetti.

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Versari, D., Daghini, E., Salvetti, G. et al. Omega 3. High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev 15, 225–230 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2165/0151642-200815040-00002

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Key words

  • omega-3 fatty acids
  • inflammation
  • atherosclerosis
  • cardiovascular prevention
  • cardiovascular disease