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The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dyslipidemias

  • Chapter
Combination Therapy In Dyslipidemia

Abstract

Statins are the most widely prescribed lipid-lowering medications and have been shown to lower the relative risk for cardiovascular events by 20–50 %. However, despite their lipid lowering and cardioprotective effects, substantial residual cardiovascular risk persists in some patients taking statins, particularly in some subgroups, such as those with atherogenic dyslipidemia, i.e., high TG and low HDL. There has been significant controversy regarding the role of omega-3 fatty acid (OM3 FA) in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is clear scientific understanding of how OM3 FAs integrate with physiology to improve lipid serologies to potentially prevent cardiovascular disease. These mechanisms can be exploited for the modification of disease. Current studies on how to best take advantage of this implicate that OM3 FAs alter the course of CVD both for prevention of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and treatment of derangements in lipid serologies. Current guidelines and recommendations support their regular integration into the diet and supplementation for those with severe hypertriglyceridemia as adjunct therapy. Emerging data suggests that OM3 FAs may have implications in specific subpopulations. In particular, patients with elevated triglycerides may benefit from supplementation as combination therapy to statins and lifestyle changes, especially those with TGs ≥500 mg/dL and perhaps, pending results of ongoing trials, those with TGs ≥200 mg/dL and <500 mg/dL. Further studies should seek to assess those with high residual risk while on statin therapy, which is best estimated by measuring the affect on triglyceride rich lipoprotein-cholesterol (TRL-C).

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Brandt, E.J., Davidson, M.H. (2015). The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dyslipidemias. In: Banach, M. (eds) Combination Therapy In Dyslipidemia. Adis, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20433-8_5

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