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Fish Oil for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

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Abstract

Fish consumption and fish oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids were reported to be cardioprotective in both retrospective and prospective studies undertaken over the past two to three decades. In the past several years, there is mounting clinical trial data as well as basic science information supporting the use of fish oil supplements in both primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention. In addition, there appear to be additional benefits to the use of fish oil, including lowering significantly elevated triglyceride levels, preventing atrial fibrillation, reducing mortality rates in congestive heart failure patients, and perhaps stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques. These data have led to specific recommendations for use of omega-3 fatty acids in several cardiovascular areas.

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Disclosure

Dr. Harris is a scientific advisor to GlaxoSmithKline, Monsanto, and Unilever; a speaker for GlaxoSmithKline; and the owner of OmegaQuant Analytics, a company that offers blood omega-3 testing. No other potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine & Sterling Research Group, 2230 Auburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45219, USA

    Eli M. Roth

  2. Cardiovascular Health Research Center, Sanford Research/USD and Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, 1100 E. 21st Street, Suite 700, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA

    William S. Harris

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Correspondence to Eli M. Roth.

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Roth, E.M., Harris, W.S. Fish Oil for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease. Curr Atheroscler Rep 12, 66–72 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-009-0079-6

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