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Omega-3 fatty acids: antiarrhythmic, proarrhythmic or both?

Merritt Raitt1

  • 1P-3-CARD, P3710 SW US Veterans Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA. Merritt.Raitt@va.gov

Future Cardiology
|October 7, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Omega-3 fatty acids may not consistently reduce cardiac death risk. Recent findings suggest potential risks of fatal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in some heart disease patients, warranting further investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Omega-3 fatty acids were previously thought to reduce cardiac death by preventing fatal arrhythmias.
  • Emerging evidence indicates a potential proarrhythmic effect in certain cardiovascular conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the conflicting roles of omega-3 fatty acids in cardiac arrhythmia risk.
  • To clarify the safety and efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in heart disease patients.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological, clinical trial, and animal data.
  • Analysis of recent studies on omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in heart disease.

Main Results:

  • Initial data supported a cardioprotective role for omega-3s against fatal arrhythmias.
  • More recent data suggest omega-3s may increase arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death risk in some patients.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is required to confirm and characterize the proarrhythmic effects of omega-3 fatty acids.
  • The role of omega-3s in treating heart disease patients without recent myocardial infarction needs clarification.

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