Purported low mortality from coronary heart disease in Eskimos from Greenland, Canada, or Alaska has been interpreted by many investigators as synonymous with the absence of or reduced amount of atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries compared to populations with a high rate of coronary heart disease. It was thought that this study would help to clarify the role of omega-3 fatty acids in atherosclerosis but also would help in making a decision whether to recommend to the general public the inclusion of fish oils, which contain large amounts of these fatty acids in the diet, for prevention and/or reduction of atherosclerotic heart disease.