Positive Health Online

Abstract

HARRIS and colleagues, Sanford Research and School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA,  bill.harris@usd.edu, have studied the links between n-3 fatty acids, trans-fatty acids and coronary heart disease.

Background

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that lower blood n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids and/or higher trans fatty acids are associated with the risk of an acute coronary syndrome. Higher levels of n-3 fatty acids have been associated with decreased risk of sudden cardiac death. However, their association with acute coronary syndrome risk is unclear. Although higher self-reported intakes of trans fatty acids have been linked to increased coronary risk, the association between blood levels of trans fatty acids and acute coronary syndrome risk is also unknown.

Methodology

The fatty acid composition of whole blood from 94 subjects with acute coronary syndrome and 94 age-, gender-, and race-matched controls were analyzed. n-3 and trans fatty acids associations with acute coronary syndrome were assessed using multivariable models after adjusting for smoking status, alcohol use, diabetes, body mass index, serum lipids, and history of myocardial infarction or revascularization.

Results

Eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] plus docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] content was 29% lower in patients than in controls (1.7 +/- 0.9% vs 2.4 +/- 1.4%, p <0.001), whereas trans fatty acid content was not different. The multivariable-adjusted odds for case status was 0.67 for a 1 Standard Deviation increase in blood EPA + DHA.

Conclusion

Low blood EPA + DHA content is an independent predictor of increased risk for acute coronary syndrome, but higher blood trans fatty acid content is not.

References

Harris WS, Reid KJ, Sands SA, Spertus JA. Blood omega-3 and trans fatty acids in middle-aged acute coronary syndrome patients. American Journal of Cardiology 99 (2): 154-158, Jan 15, 2007.