Fish oil supplements are associated with a heightened risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) among certain high-risk patients, according to a new meta-analysis published in European Heart Journal: Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy.[1]
Noting that research in this area has led to a variety of conclusions, the authors show how they assessed data from five different randomized controlled trials. In total, their analysis included data from more than 50,000 patients who either took fish oil supplements or a placebo. All patients were followed for at least two years, and some were followed for more than seven years.
Overall, the authors found that taking fish oil supplements was associated with a “significantly higher” risk of developing AFib than taking a placebo among patients with elevated plasma triglycerides. The incidence rate ratio was 1.37.
“Our study suggests that fish oil supplements are associated with a significantly greater risk of AFib in patients at elevated cardiovascular risk,” co-author Salvatore Carbone, PhD, MS, from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, said in a statement. “Although one clinical trial indicated beneficial cardiovascular effects of supplementation, the risk for AFib should be considered when such agents are prescribed or purchased over the counter, especially in individuals susceptible to developing the heart rhythm disorder.”
Click here to read the full study.
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Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.