Omega-3 carboxylic acid (CA) is often prescribed by healthcare professionals to patients following a heart attack to lower the risk of a recurrence. However, new evidence from the STRENGTH trial shows that it has no effect in this regard.
Phase III of the STRENGTH trial involved 13 078 adult participants at 675 centres across 22 countries. They were randomised to either receive a 4gm of omega-3 CA medication or a maize oil placebo. All of the patients were being treated with statins and were at increased risk due to factors such as diabetes, or had experienced arterial blockages.
The participants were all monitored for rates of cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke, need for coronary revascularisation or hospitalisation for unstable angina, starting in 2014 and concluding in 2020.
The trial was stopped slightly early due to the low likelihood of a benefit emerging from continuing to take omega-3 CA; furthermore, there was evidence of increased rates of atrial fibrillation among participants taking omega-3 CA.
Source: Science Daily
