Omega-3 supplementation has a controversial role in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Despite large clinical trials published over the years, the evidence of omega-3 in preventing cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary heart disease, is still inconclusive. However, recent clinical trials using higher dose of omega-3 or highly purified esters of omega-3 shows promising result, with reduction in cardiovascular death and incidence of cardiovascular disease. This review aims to summarize the possible mechanism of omega-3 in preventing cardiovascular disease and future directions of research regarding the benefit of omega-3 in cardiovascular disease.
Keywords: atherosclerosis; cardiovascular disease; eicosapentaenoic acid; fatty acid; omega-3; prevention.
International College of Angiology. This article is published by Thieme.