2018-04-022018-04-022015-12NASCIUTTI, Priscilla Regina; COSTA, Ana Paula Araújo; SANTOS JÚNIOR, Marcelo Borges dos; MELO, Nayara Gonçalves de; CARVALHO, Rosângela de Oliveira Alves. Ácidos graxos e o sistema cardiovascular. Enciclopédia Biosfera, Goiânia, v. 11, n. 2, p. 11-29, dez. 2015.1809-0583e- 2317-2606http://repositorio.bc.ufg.br/handle/ri/14246Fatty acids are substances that are part of the constitution of lipid molecules and can be classified according to their chemical structure in saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The ingestion of lipids represent one of the risk factors for developement of cardiovascular disease, classified as a major cause of death nowadays. Diets rich in saturated and trans-unsaturated fatty acids are responsible for the development of hypercholesterolemia, so their consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Research involving unsaturated fatty acids of the ω-3 series, show that in humans, the fatty acids of this class promote cardioprotective effects by decreasing inflammatory process, preventing of arrhythmias, vasodilation and controling the levels of lipids in the blood. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to present an overview about the fatty acids and their effects on the cardiovascular system.porAcesso AbertoAntiarrítmicoCoraçãoDeslipidemiasLipídeosÔmega-3AntiarrhythmicDyslipidemiasHeartLipidsArtigo10.18677/Enciclopedia_Biosfera_2015_066