Does Fish Consumption Affect CVD Risk?

Regular fish intake is associated with a decreased risk of major cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in patients with a history of CVD, according to a recent study.

Previous research has been inconclusive regarding the effects of fish consumption on risk of CVD and mortality and whether these effects vary in those with and without a history of vascular disease.

To explore this further, the researchers conducted a pooled analysis of 191,558 individuals from 58 countries who participated in 4 cohort studies. Validated food frequency questionnaires were utilized to measure fish consumption, with one of the studies assessing individual types of fish.

Over 9.1 years of follow-up, intake of 350 g/wk or more of fish was not associated with changes in risk of major CVD or mortality compared with little or no fish intake in patients without a history of vascular disease. However, among patients with a history of CVD, intake of 175 g/wk was associated with the lowest risk of major CVD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.84; 95% CI, 0.73-0.96) and total mortality (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74-0.91) compared with 50 g/mo or lower, with no further reductions apparent at an intake of 350 g/wk or higher.

When individual fish species were studied, those with higher levels of ω-3 fatty acids were strongly associated with lower CVD risk (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.92-0.97 per 5-g increment of intake) while those without high ω-3 fatty acids levels had a neutral effect.

“Findings of this pooled analysis of 4 cohort studies indicated that a minimal fish intake of 175 g (approximately 2 servings) weekly is associated with lower risk of major CVD and mortality among patients with prior CVD but not in general populations. The consumption of fish (especially oily fish) should be evaluated in randomized trials of clinical outcomes among people with vascular disease,” the researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Mohan D, Mente A, Dehghan M, et al. Associations of fish consumption with risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality among individuals with or without vascular disease from 58 countries. JAMA Intern Med. 2021;181(5):631-649. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.0036