Prescription of omega-3s could reduce cardiovascular problems

Also known as omega-3, eicosapentaenoic acid (or EPA) could be a cost-effective and effective way to prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular complications in people at risk. This is highlighted by a new study presented at the 68^and annual scientific session of the American College of Cardiology. According to its authors, the EPA prescription called icosapent ethyl significantly reduce the occurrence of primary, subsequent and total ischemic events, including heart attacks, strokes and related deaths, in people at high cardiovascular risk despite statin therapy.

A 30% reduction in cardiovascular accidents

To reach this conclusion, the researchers followed 8,179 patients with cardiovascular risk and already treated with statins for 5 years. All also had high blood triglyceride levels (135 to 499 mg/dL). Approximately 70% of patients in the study had established cardiovascular disease and the remainder were diabetic with no known cardiovascular disease, but with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor. At baseline, median triglyceride levels were 216 mg/dL and median LDL cholesterol level was 75 mg/dL.

The study participants were then randomly divided into two groups: one receiving a placebo, the other receiving 2 grams of EPA twice daily. The results after 5 years are clear: compared to placebo, EPA reduces by 30% the combined rate of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attacks or strokes, interventions for coronary artery disease such as endoprosthesis or hospitalizations for unstable angina.

Additionally, in patients taking EPA, first ischemic events were reduced by 25%, second events by 32%, third events by 31%, and fourth or more events were reduced by almost half ( 48%). The drug also prevented 1 in 5 cardiovascular deaths.

Anti-inflammatory effects

“Looking at all of the events, not just the first ones, but also the next ones, we find that the drug helps reduce ischemic events even further. By only looking at the first events, we underestimate the true underestimated benefit. of the treatment offered,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, executive director of interventional cardiovascular programs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and senior author of the study. “From the perspective of the patient and the physician, the impact of icosapent ethyl on all events is what matters most.”

According to the study authors, EPA also showed consistent cardiovascular benefits in all patient subgroups, including those with high triglyceride levels. This suggests that this pure and stable form of omega-3 not only has the effect of lowering triglyceride levels responsible for many cardiovascular accidents, but also that it has anti-inflammatory properties, antithrombotic mechanisms and stabilization of the cell membrane.

“With this drug, we are not only preventing the first heart attack, but also the second heart attack and possibly the third fatal attack,” says Professor Bhatt. “Preventing these subsequent cardiovascular events could improve patients’ health status and quality of life and reduce the total cost of medical care.