Evaluating the association between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids dosage and blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

This study evaluated the association between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) dosage (amount of drug administered) and blood pressure (BP) in patients with hypertension (high BP). The data showed that the optimal combined intake of omega-3 fatty acids for lowering BP is likely between 2 g/day and 3 g/day in these patients.

Hypertension or high blood pressure (BP) is a common condition, particularly in older people. It increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. It also increases the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke. Managing BP can sometimes require multiple medications.

Omega-3 PUFAs are fatty acids found in fish, and seafood including algae and krill, some plants, and nut oils. A diet made of omega-3 fatty acids, especially those found in fish and fish oil, was shown to help in reducing risk factors like high BP in patients with hypertension. However, the association between omega-3 PUFAs dosage and BP in patients with hypertension is still unknown.

This study analyzed 71 studies and involved 4973 patients with hypertension. The combined docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plus eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) dose was 2.8 g/day. DHA and EPA are 2 omega-3 fatty acids.

Patients who received a DHA+EPA dose of 2 g/day had an average systolic pressure (SBP; blood pressure when the heart beats) decrease of 2.61 mm Hg and an average diastolic blood pressure (DBP; blood pressure between the heart beats) decrease of 1.64 mm Hg.

Patients who received a DHA+EPA dose of 3 g/day had an average systolic pressure (SBP; blood pressure when the heart beats) decrease of 2.61 mm Hg and an average diastolic blood pressure (DBP; blood pressure between the heart beats) decrease of 1.80 mm Hg.

Overall, larger doses of omega-3 fatty acids were associated with larger reductions in BP. Doses of omega-3 fatty acid intake above the recommended 3 g/day were associated with reductions in BP among groups at high risk for cardiovascular diseases.

This study concluded that the optimal combined intake of omega-3 fatty acids for lowering BP is likely between 2 g/day and 3 g/day in patients with hypertension.

This study included very different studies with a small number of participants. This study did not include data on higher doses of omega-3 fatty acids between 7g/day and 15g/day.