• DOI:10.1097/HJH.0000000000001728
• Corpus ID: 4230782

Whole blood omega-3 fatty acid concentrations are inversely associated with blood pressure in young, healthy adults

@article{Filipovic2018WholeBO,
  title={Whole blood omega-3 fatty acid concentrations are inversely associated with blood pressure in young, healthy adults},
  author={Mark G Filipovic and Stefanie Aeschbacher and Martin F. Reiner and Simona Stivala and Sara Gobbato and Nicole R Bonetti and Martin Risch and Lorenz Risch and Giovanni G. Camici and Thomas F. Luescher and Clemens von Schacky and David Conen and Juerg H. Beer},
  journal={Journal of Hypertension},
  year={2018},
  volume={36},
  pages={1548 - 1554}
}

• Mark G Filipovic, S. Aeschbacher, +10 authors J. Beer
• Published 1 July 2018
• Medicine
• Journal of Hypertension

Background: Omega-3 fatty acids (n − 3 FA) may have blood pressure (BP)-lowering effects in untreated hypertensive and elderly patients. The effect of n − 3 FA on BP in young, healthy adults remains unknown. The Omega-3 Index reliably reflects an individuals’ omega-3 status. We hypothesized that the Omega-3 Index is inversely associated with BP levels in young healthy adults. Methods: The current study (n = 2036) is a cross-sectional study investigating the baseline characteristics of a cohort, which includes healthy adults, age 25–41 years. Individuals with cardiovascular disease, known diabetes or a BMI higher than 35 kg/m2 were excluded. The Omega-3 Index was determined in whole blood using gas chromatography. Association with office and 24-h BP was assessed using multivariable linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Median Omega-3 Index was 4.58% (interquartile range 4.08; 5.25). Compared with individuals in the lowest Omega-3 Index quartile, individuals in the highest had a SBP and DBP that was 4 and 2 mmHg lower, respectively (P < 0.01). A significant linear inverse relationship of the Omega-3 Index with 24-h and office BP was observed. Per 1-U increase in log-transformed Omega-3 Index the lowering in BP (given as multivariable adjusted &bgr; coefficients; 95% confidence interval) was −2.67 mmHg (−4.83; −0.51; P = 0.02) and −2.30 mmHg (−3.92; −0.68; P = 0.005) for 24-h SBP and DBP, respectively. Conclusion: A higher Omega-3 Index is associated with statistically significant, clinically relevant lower SBP and DBP levels in normotensive young and healthy individuals. Diets rich in n − 3 FA may be a strategy for primary prevention of hypertension.