Prev Med July 2004 PMID 15208005

The Omega-3 Index: a new risk factor for death from coronary heart disease?

William S Harris, Clemens Von Schacky

Mentions

40
Peak: 2 in Oct 2021
across 5 sources since Aug 2021

Extended reach

43,400
potential audience

Total likes

1,455

Video views

34,617

Mentions per month

Aug 2021 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News20 articles
  • X / Twitter8 posts
  • Facebook8 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Blogs2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the discussions reflect a high level of interest and engagement, with several posts emphasizing the importance of the Omega-3 Index for preventing heart disease, such as suggestions for supplementation and calls for public awareness. The use of terms like 'better indicator' and 'significantly cut CHD' indicates a belief in the practical impact of this research.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions agree that the Omega-3 Index is a valuable predictor and that higher levels offer protection against heart disease, with some posts advocating for widespread supplementation.

InterestHigh interest

The posts demonstrate high interest in understanding and applying the findings, with many emphasizing the importance of Omega-3 levels for cardiovascular health.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants engage with the research details, referencing blood measurement methods and encouraging action like supplementing or testing Omega-3 levels.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight the potential for this marker to influence health practices broadly, suggesting that knowing and improving Omega-3 status could significantly reduce CHD risk.

Abstract in brief

  • The Omega3 Index, which measures long-term levels of EPA and DHA in red blood cells, may serve as a new risk factor for death from coronary heart disease (CHD) because lower levels are linked to higher risk, especially for sudden cardiac death.
  • Studies show that higher Omega3 Index values (around 8 or above) offer greater protection against CHD mortality, while lower levels (around 4 or below) indicate increased risk.
  • The research suggests that the Omega3 Index is an easily modifiable, independent, and clinically useful marker that can help predict and potentially reduce the risk of death from CHD.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Andrew Jagim, PhD
@AJagim · X

“The Omega-3 Index may represent a novel, physiologically relevant, easily modified, independent, and graded risk factor for death from CHD that could have significant clinical utility.” https://t.co/kFxEFaissk

Dec 10, 2021 · 5 likes · 2,091 followers View post →
OmegaQuant
@OmegaQuant · X

@_Woman_health @JenFrYrEyesOnly Yes! Several studies have found that the Omega-3 Index (O3i) is inversely associated with risk for coronary heart disease mortality! Why doesn't everyone know their O3i? https://t.co/OxL6k6ro5t

Oct 19, 2021 · 1 like · 1,471 followers View post →
Christoffer Baustad Nilsen
@ChristofferBN · X

@ScepticalDoctor @YouTube @krosenque And remember that omega-3 index is measuring EPA+DHA in red blood cells. They correlate, but it's not the same measuring plasma phospholipid EPA+DHA. Measuring plasma=more noisy; omega-3 index vary less from day-to-day than plasma. https://t.co/K4I2TgywFt https://t.co/Jr1exPpQf8 https://t.co/0ld78ujvwc

Oct 28, 2022 · 1 like · 585 followers View post →
Vern Vanderkleed
@wiseoldguy · X

@TheCarnivoreKid @TuckerGoodrich @Zombie_Burgers @lcprpdoc @FrogHarmless @DoctorTro @KenDBerryMD I think from you blood work, your Omega 3 index was 2.7. Less than 4 is really bad for CVD and above 8 is the most protective. You can't eat enough fish to fix this. You have to reduce n6 ingestion. https://t.co/QmS4kOROfe

Dec 21, 2021 · 1 like · 368 followers View post →
Tavis Piattoly,MS,RD
@TavisPiattoly · X

@ElieJarrougeMD https://t.co/qNXeYf3GAr A much better indicator and with 95% of the globe deficient, why not advise everyone take 2-3 grams of a triglyceride based fish oil or algae oil for vegans. We'd significantly cut CHD.

Mar 13, 2022 · 2,330 followers View post →
OmegaQuant
@OmegaQuant · X

@CurableSmoothie Yes! Research has found that the Omega-3 Index (O3i) is inversely associated with risk for coronary heart disease mortality. Omega-3s are often an underrated and under consumed nutrient that can have huge health benefits! https://t.co/OxL6k6ro5t

Oct 19, 2021 · 1,471 followers View post →

All mentions

Omega-3 Index and Heart Disease Risk Explained

This video explores the Omega-3 Index, a measure of EPA and DHA levels in red blood cells, and its significance as a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Higher levels provide greater protection, making it a valuable…

Physionic · Nov 20, 2025 30,521 views
Christoffer Baustad Nilsen
@ChristofferBN · X

@ScepticalDoctor @YouTube @krosenque And remember that omega-3 index is measuring EPA+DHA in red blood cells. They correlate, but it's not the same measuring plasma phospholipid EPA+DHA. Measuring plasma=more noisy; omega-3 index vary less from day-to-day than plasma. https://t.co/K4I2TgywFt https://t.co/Jr1exPpQf8 https://t.co/0ld78ujvwc

Oct 28, 2022 · 1 like · 585 followers View post →
fipco
@fipco · X

@neeche41 The latter may be preferable since it reflects longer term exposure. https://t.co/LJqtw5OOLN HR for top tertile achieved plasma EPA (Table 3) 0.98 —> 0.94 w/ above adjustment HR for top tertile achieved RBC EPA pct (supp eTable 3) 0.90 —> 0.86 w/ above adjustment /3-fin

Jul 3, 2022 · 234 followers View post →
Tavis Piattoly,MS,RD
@TavisPiattoly · X

@ElieJarrougeMD https://t.co/qNXeYf3GAr A much better indicator and with 95% of the globe deficient, why not advise everyone take 2-3 grams of a triglyceride based fish oil or algae oil for vegans. We'd significantly cut CHD.

Mar 13, 2022 · 2,330 followers View post →
Vern Vanderkleed
@wiseoldguy · X

@TheCarnivoreKid @TuckerGoodrich @Zombie_Burgers @lcprpdoc @FrogHarmless @DoctorTro @KenDBerryMD I think from you blood work, your Omega 3 index was 2.7. Less than 4 is really bad for CVD and above 8 is the most protective. You can't eat enough fish to fix this. You have to reduce n6 ingestion. https://t.co/QmS4kOROfe

Dec 21, 2021 · 1 like · 368 followers View post →
Andrew Jagim, PhD
@AJagim · X

“The Omega-3 Index may represent a novel, physiologically relevant, easily modified, independent, and graded risk factor for death from CHD that could have significant clinical utility.” https://t.co/kFxEFaissk

Dec 10, 2021 · 5 likes · 2,091 followers View post →
OmegaQuant
@OmegaQuant · X

@CurableSmoothie Yes! Research has found that the Omega-3 Index (O3i) is inversely associated with risk for coronary heart disease mortality. Omega-3s are often an underrated and under consumed nutrient that can have huge health benefits! https://t.co/OxL6k6ro5t

Oct 19, 2021 · 1,471 followers View post →
OmegaQuant
@OmegaQuant · X

@_Woman_health @JenFrYrEyesOnly Yes! Several studies have found that the Omega-3 Index (O3i) is inversely associated with risk for coronary heart disease mortality! Why doesn't everyone know their O3i? https://t.co/OxL6k6ro5t

Oct 19, 2021 · 1 like · 1,471 followers View post →
fipco
@fipco · X

There was a small signal in STRENGTH for achieved EPA as measured by red blood cell EPA % (see link). With adjustments for missing data, perhaps there was a numeric low-mid teens risk reduction in the highest EPA tertile using this metric. /2-fin https://t.co/LJqtw5OOLN https://t.co/tnBnnSoxAR

Aug 29, 2021 · 234 followers View post →