Study: Cholesterol-lowering drugs reduce heart disease risks in the elderly - Sarmad
A clinical trial has shown that taking statins to lower cholesterol can reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular disease in healthy people over the age of 70, without showing a statistically significant increase in dementia rates compared to those who took a placebo.
The British newspaper The Guardian reported that the study, led by researchers from Australia’s Monash University, included around 10,000 people over the age of 70 who had no prior history of cardiovascular disease, with participants selected from hundreds of primary care practices in Australia.
The results showed that participants who took statins daily experienced a reduction of approximately 30 percent in the risk of their first major cardiovascular event, compared to those who received a placebo, suggesting that preventive treatment may benefit older adults who have not previously suffered from heart disease.
These findings come after years of limited evidence regarding the use of statins for primary prevention in healthy individuals in this age group, as many previous studies focused on younger age groups or on people with risk factors or prior cardiac events.
The trial involved treating participants with 40 mg of atorvastatin daily or with another type of medication, with long-term follow-up to assess the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events, as well as other indicators including cognitive function.
Researchers found no statistically significant difference in dementia rates between the treatment groups, providing additional data regarding previous concerns about a potential link between statin use and an increased risk of dementia.
The researchers noted that the study’s results may contribute to a re-evaluation of guidelines on the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs in older adults, emphasizing that the decision to prescribe treatment should be based on an assessment of each individual’s health status and a balance of potential benefits and risks.
The STAREE trial is one of the largest randomized trials to investigate the effect of statins in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease among people aged 70 and older.
