Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids in cardiovascular disease: do they really work?
Kromhout, D.; Yasuda, S.; Geleijnse, J.M.; Shimokawa, H.
European Heart Journal 33(4): 436-443
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1522-9645
PMID: 21933782
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehr362
Accession: 036337992
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found abundantly in fish oil, exert pleiotropic cardiometabolic effects with a diverse range of actions. The results of previous studies raised a lot of interest in the role of fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The present review will focus on the current clinical uses of omega-3 fatty acids and provide an update on their effects. Since recently published trials in patients with coronary artery diseases or post-myocardial infarction did not show an effect of omega-3 fatty acids on major cardiovascular endpoints, this review will examine the limitations of those data and suggest recommendations for the use of omega-3 fatty acids.