Adding omega-3 fatty acids to stable statin therapy reduces triglyceride levels, without raising LDL

Adding omega-3 fatty acids to stable statin therapy reduces triglyceride levels, without raising LDL



The Heart.org



New York, NY - The addition of an omega-3 fatty-acid supplement to statin therapy in patients with persistent hypertriglyceridemia significantly reduced triglyceride levels and non-HDL-cholesterol levels, all without a significant increase in LDL-cholesterol levels


Presenting the results of the study at the 16th International Symposium on Drugs Affecting Lipid Metabolism in New York City this weekend, Bays explained that while the Food and Drug Administration has approved the addition of omega-3 fatty-acid supplementation to statin-treated patients with triglyceride levels >500 mg/dL, the addition of the polyunsaturated fatty acid is not currently approved for use in patients with triglyceride levels <500 mg/dL.


Bays acknowledged that the study addresses only the reduction in triglyceride levels and that it is not clear what clinical benefit would arise from further lowering triglycerides in patients with levels between 200 mg/dL and 500 mg/dL.