Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
06:36
Using Zebrafish Larvae to Study the Pathological Consequences of Hemorrhagic Stroke
Published on: June 5, 2019
Associations Between Plasma Omega-3 and Fish Oil Use With Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in the UK Biobank
Evan O'Keefe1, James H O'Keefe1,2, Nathan L Tintle2,3
1Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City MO USA.
Journal of the American Heart Association
|December 10, 2025
Summary
Higher omega-3 fatty acid levels in the blood are linked to a lower risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). Fish oil supplement use, however, showed no association with AF risk in a large UK study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nutritional Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Conflicting evidence exists regarding omega-3 fatty acids and atrial fibrillation (AF) risk.
- Some meta-analyses suggest increased AF risk with omega-3 products, while others indicate a protective effect based on blood levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma omega-3 levels and fish oil supplement (FOS) use with incident AF risk.
- To clarify the relationship between omega-3s and AF in a large cohort study.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of UK Biobank data.
- Examined plasma omega-3 levels and reported FOS use in relation to incident AF.
- Used multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for continuous and dichotomous exposure variables.
Main Results:
- Higher plasma omega-3 levels were inversely associated with incident AF (HR per IQ5R, 0.89).
- Fish oil supplement use was reported by 31% of the cohort.
- No association was found between FOS use and AF risk after multivariable adjustment (HR, 1.00).
Conclusions:
- Elevated circulating omega-3 levels are associated with a reduced risk of AF.
- Fish oil supplement use, when adjusted for age as a continuous variable, does not appear to be associated with AF risk.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
03:38Structure of Lipids
Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic birds and...
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
Cardiac biomarkers are enzymes, proteins, and hormones released into the blood when cardiac cells are injured. They are powerful tools for triaging.
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ meats, shellfish,...