Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on heart rate variability

Figure 4 Meta-analysis. A: Meta-analysis for high-frequency (HF) heart-rate variability. Forest plot showing the effect of omega-3 supplementation on HF power, representing parasympathetic activity. The pooled mean difference [mean difference (MD) = -0.18, 95%CI: -0.61 to 0.25; P = 0.41] indicated no significant change compared with controls. Heterogeneity was minimal (I² = 0 %, τ² = 0.00, P = 0.85); B: Meta-analysis for low-frequency (LF) heart-rate variability. Forest plot comparing omega-3 supplementation and control groups for LF power, representing mixed sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation. The pooled mean difference (MD = -4.59, 95%CI: -23.26 to 14.08; P = 0.63) showed no significant difference. No heterogeneity was observed (I² = 64 %, τ² = 127.15, P = 0.10); C: Meta-analysis for low- to high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio heart-rate variability. Forest plot illustrating between-group comparison of the LF/HF ratio following omega-3 supplementation. The pooled mean difference (MD = 0.95, 95%CI: -27.13 to 29.03; P = 0.95) demonstrated no significant change. However, heterogeneity was substantial (I² = 93%, τ² = 381.96, χ² = 13.78, P = 0.0002), reflecting variability among included trials.