OMEGA-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS AND HYPERTENSION: A REVIEW OF VASOACTIVE MECHANISMS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR...

Hypertension is an unparalleled risk factor among cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and has been reported to target over 1.4 billion people globally. The Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been put forward as possible non-pharmacological interventions to control blood pressure because they are known to be vasoactive. The purpose of the systematic review was to summarize available evidence on the vasoactive properties of omega-3 PUFAs, and how these properties apply in managing hypertension and reduction of cardiovascular risk.

Systematic review was done in compliance with the PRISMA guidelines. The search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted to identify the publications published between 2010 and 2025. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and other related meta-analyses on the effect of EPA and/or DHA on blood pressure, and endothelial function, inflammation, lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular outcomes. Synthesis of data was done in the form of systematic narrative without quantitative pooling.

Randomized controlled trial evidence has shown that omega-3 PUFA supplementation is linked with slight systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreases especially in hypertensive or those with high cardiometabolic risk persons. These effects have been shown to mediate via enhancement of endothelial nitric oxide bioavailability, reduction of vascular inflammation and positive remodeling of lipid profiles. Diversity of the outcomes of the studies was noticed and probably it is the difference in dosage, ratios of EPA:DHA, duration of the intervention, and the population specifics at the baseline.

Omega-3 PUFAs have shown promise as supplemental agents in the process of controlling hypertension and prevention of cardiovascular disease by a variety of complementary vasoactive pathways. Nonetheless, the heterogeneity of the studies does not allow conclusive findings on the best dosing strategies. Standardized hypertension-oriented large-scale randomized controlled trials conducted in the future are justified to improve clinical practice.