Statins can safely cut risk of heart attacks or strokes in healthy people aged over 70, world-first clinical trial shows
Australian-led trial finds low risk of side effects from common cholesterol-lowering medication for otherwise healthy older people
TL;DR
- Statins can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by 30% in healthy people aged over 70.
- The trial found a low risk of serious side effects associated with daily statin use in this age group.
- One major cardiac event could be prevented for every 37 older adults treated with daily statins over nearly six years.
- The study found no statistically significant difference in dementia rates between statin users and the placebo group.
- Despite reducing major heart events, statins did not extend life or improve disability-free survival in the trial.
- Patient adherence to statin therapy was a challenge, with over 15% discontinuing medication.