Consumption of the fish-oil component eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) lowers rates of unstable angina and nonfatal coronary events in patients with hypercholesterolemia, researchers report in Lancet.
In an open-label, industry-sponsored trial, researchers randomized some 19,000 Japanese patients with total cholesterol levels at 6.5 mmol/L (roughly 250 mg/dL) or greater to receive either 1800 mg of EPA a day plus a statin, or statin alone. Five-year cumulative rates of major coronary events were 2.8% in the EPA group and 3.5% in controls (relative risk reduction, 19%). Rates of sudden cardiac and coronary death did not differ between the groups.
A commentary writer calls the results "unexpected," and says that "we must curb our infatuation with downstream risk factors and treatments, and focus on the fundamental risk factors for cardiovascular disease: dietary habits, smoking, and physical activity."
