Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Coronary Heart Disease Risks: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

Study answer

What this study found

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation modestly reduced major cardiovascular risk overall. Pooled effects showed lower MACE, cardiovascular death, and myocardial infarction, with RR 0.95 (0.91-0.99), RR 0.94 (0.89-0.99), and RR 0.86 (0.79-0.93), respectively. Effects were not significant for all-cause death, stroke, or revascularization overall. Subgroup analyses suggested benefit in acute MI, CHD, and high-risk populations, and a moderate dose of 0.8-1.2 g/day appeared most beneficial.

Study & population

Meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials in adults at high risk of coronary heart disease, with established CHD, or with acute myocardial infarction.

Intervention

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was given orally, using EPA/DHA mixtures in most trials and EPA alone in some trials.

Key limitation

The evidence pools trials with different populations, formulations, and doses, which increases heterogeneity and limits direct comparability.

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Original abstract