Role of omega-3 fatty acid in major cardiovascular events—a current view

Abstract

Intake of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) derived from marine sources, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been long recommended by health authorities to provide cardiovascular protection. As a cardiovascular protective agent, omega-3 PUFAs are known to function as natural HMG-CoA reductase and ACE enzyme inhibitors, antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, cyto-protective, and cardio-protective molecules. However, omega-3 PUFAs play different roles on major cardiovascular events according to the diverse patient populations. Although appearing to be a low-risk and cost-effective strategy to improve cardiac health, available evidence demonstrates that omega-3 PUFAs supplementation may be recommended in primary prevention of major cardiovascular events in patients free of known coronary heart disease (CHD), but with high risk. Furthermore, patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) and previous myocardial infarction (MI) may potentially benefit on causes of mortality from omega-3 PUFAs. However, omega-3 PUFAs may not be effective in preventing major cardiovascular events in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), cardiac arrhythmias, and impaired glucose metabolism. The exact effects of omega-3 PUFAs in some of the various classified cardiovascular conditions may be beneficial and worth exploring.