ACC.21 | Cardiovascular benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids are still controversial, so take it carefully!

 

In recent years, researches have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to health. As a result, it was once widely favored around the world. But researches have also found that Omega-3 fatty acids are not good for cardiovascular health. Therefore, whether omega-3 fatty acids can bring health benefits is still controversial. Professor Steven E. Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic in the United States was invited to talk about his explaining of Omega-3 fatty acids.

《International Circulation》:Some studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids can improve cardiovascular disease. What is your opinion?

Professor Steven E. Nissen: Most studies have NOT shown benefit from omega-3. There are really only one or two studies that have suggested a benefit. The very large trials, such as ASCEND, ORIGIN and VITAL, showed no benefit. Our study, STRENGTH, which was 13000 patients, showed no benefit. So I think it is quite uncertain whether omega-3 fatty acids provide any benefit to cardiovascular outcomes.

《International Circulation》:For patients with high cardiovascular risk, what is the relationship between Omega-3 fatty acid levels and major adverse cardiovascular events?

Professor Steven E. Nissen:We studied this in a secondary analysis in STRENGTH, which is being published at this ACC 2021 conference.What we found in more than 10000 patients, half of whom received corn oil placebo and half of whom received omega-3 fatty acids, was that there was no relationship between the levels achieved of EPA or DHA and cardiovascular outcomes. We think this tends to support the hypothesis that there is no benefit of omega-3 fatty acids, since the levels had no relationship to cardiovascular outcomes.

《International Circulation》:Can dietary or supplemental intake of Omega-3 fatty acids prevent atrial fibrillation? Would you please share us your opinion?

Professor Steven E. Nissen:There are now three studies recently using relatively high doses of omega-3 fatty acids – REDUCE-IT, STRENGTH and the OMEMI study. All three of them showed >50% increase in the risk of atrial fibrillation. In our study, STRENGTH, it was a 69% increase. In REDUCE-IT, it was a 50% increase. And in OMEMI, it was an 89% increase.