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Fish oil as an adjuvant in the treatment of hypertension
D R Gray1, C G Gozzip, J H Eastham
1Pharmacy Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA.
Study Objective:
To evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on blood pressure control and lipid levels.
Design:
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study.
Setting:
Veterans Affairs Medical Center teaching hospital.
Patients:
Twenty-one men whose blood pressure was not optimally controlled with antihypertensive agents, who met the inclusion criteria.
Interventions:
Patients were randomized to receive either fish oil (4.5 g omega-3 fatty acids/day) or placebo.
Measurements And Main Results:
Blood pressure readings were taken at baseline, and 4 and 8 weeks. Sitting systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced in the fish oil group at both week 4 (148/97 to 132/90, p <0.05) and week 8 (148/97 to 134/91, p <0.05). Sitting diastolic blood pressure was significantly reduced in the placebo group at week 8 (94 to 88, p <0.05). There was no difference in percentage change of sitting systolic and diastolic pressures at week 8 comparing the placebo group (-6.4% and -6.3%, respectively) and the fish oil group (-8.8% and -6.6%, respectively). Triglyceride levels (-40.9%, p <0.05) and platelet counts (-8.7%, p <0.05) were significantly reduced at 4 weeks, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were significantly increased both at 4 and 8 weeks (13.5% and 19.1%, respectively) in the fish oil group.
Conclusion:
Adjunctive fish oil supplementation did not substantially augment blood pressure lowering in treated hypertensive men with suboptimally controlled blood pressure. Effects on plasma lipid values were mixed, with an increase in LDL cholesterol and a decrease in plasma triglyceride levels.
Insights
Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil did not significantly improve blood pressure control in hypertensive men. While fish oil reduced triglycerides, it also increased LDL cholesterol levels.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Hypertension remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating exploration of adjunctive therapies.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their potential cardiovascular benefits, including effects on blood pressure and lipid profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in improving blood pressure control.
- To assess the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on various blood lipid parameters in hypertensive individuals.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study was conducted.
- Twenty-one men with suboptimally controlled hypertension received either fish oil (4.5 g omega-3 fatty acids/day) or a placebo.
- Blood pressure and lipid levels were monitored over an 8-week period.
Main Results:
- Fish oil supplementation led to significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 4 and 8 weeks compared to baseline.
- However, there was no significant difference in the percentage change of blood pressure between the fish oil and placebo groups at 8 weeks.
- Significant reductions in triglyceride levels and platelet counts were observed with fish oil, alongside a significant increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
Conclusions:
- Adjunctive fish oil supplementation did not substantially enhance blood pressure lowering in hypertensive men with inadequately controlled blood pressure.
- The effects of fish oil on plasma lipids were mixed, characterized by decreased triglycerides and increased LDL cholesterol.