Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation and blood pressure levels in hypertriglyceridemic patients with untreated normal-high blood pressure and with or without metabolic syndrome: a retrospective study

Clin Exp Hypertens. 2010 Jan;32(2):137-44. doi: 10.3109/10641960903254448.

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that at least a part of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) heart protective effect is mediated by a relatively small but significant decrease in blood pressure level. We retrospectively evaluated the long-term effect of a PUFA supplementation on the blood pressure level of 111 hypertriglyceridemic subjects with untreated normal-high blood pressure that were prescribed a 2 grams PUFA supplementation in order to improve their plasma lipid pattern. After 12 months of treatment, systolic blood pressure (SBP) meanly decreased by 2.7 +/- 2.5 mmHg (p = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 1.3 +/- 3.3 mmHg (p < 0.001), while basal heart rate decreased by 4.0 +/- 4.4 bpm (p < 0.001). Both SBP and DBP reduction were significantly related to the baseline SBP (p < 0.001) and DBP (p < 0.001), respectively. Diastolic blood pressure change was also inversely related to the patient's age (p = 0.004). No significant difference was perceived in the metabolic syndrome subgroup. In our retrospective study, highly purified omega-3 PUFA long-term supplementation is associated with a significant reduction in SBP, DBP, Pulse pressure (PP), and basal heart rate in hypertriglyceridemic patients with normal-high blood pressure. No significant difference was perceived in the metabolic syndrome subgroup. The main determinants of the PUFA anti-hypertensive effect appear to be the basal blood pressure level and age.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blood Pressure*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Hypertension / prevention & control*
  • Hypertriglyceridemia / complications
  • Hypertriglyceridemia / diet therapy*
  • Hypertriglyceridemia / physiopathology*
  • Lipids / blood
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / complications
  • Metabolic Syndrome / diet therapy*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Lipids