OMEGA-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACID SUPPLEMENTS AND AMBULATORY BLOOD-PRESSURE MONITORING PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH MILD ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION

Objective: To evaluate the effects of low doses of omega-3 polyunsatur ated fatty acids on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring parameters in a group of mild essential hypertensives. Patients: We studied 24 cons ecutive essential hypertensive patients from our outpatient clinic wit h mild hypertension (diastolic blood pressure less than or equal to 10 5 mmHg), no previous treatment for 4 weeks at least and no other disea se. Methods: After a 3-month run-in period, the patients entered an in tervention phase and were given 3 g omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid s (85% eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid concentrate) daily fo r 4 months; this phase was followed by a 4-month washout period. Ambul atory blood pressure monitoring was performed at the end of each phase ; erythrocyte membrane fatty acids were assessed to check compliance. Results: After 4 months of treatment, erythrocyte omega-3 polyunsatura ted fatty acids significantly increased but average systolic and diast olic blood pressure and the heart rate did not significantly change; n o significant variations were recorded in blood pressure or heart rate variability (assessed as blood pressure and heart rate SD) nor in the diurnal blood pressure rhythm. After washout, a significant decrease was observed in erythrocyte omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids but th e ambulatory blood pressure monitoring parameters were not substantial ly modified. Conclusions: The present data show that low doses of omeg a-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a single treatment are not effectiv e in lowering blood pressure or the heart rate in mild essential hyper tensive patients, despite a significant change in fatty acid cell memb rane composition. Nor does this treatment seem likely to affect blood pressure variability or the diurnal rhythm.