Huge replace for Brits taking in style ldl cholesterol drugs over ‘loss of life threat’
A trial of 9,971 adults aged 70 and over without known cardiovascular disease, diabetes or dementia found that atorvastatin 40mg daily reduced the relative risk of major cardiovascular events by 30%
Cholesterol-lowering medication reduces major cardiovascular events by 30 per cent in older people, new research showed (stock)(Image: Getty)
A major update has been issued to anyone taking Atorvastatin following the publication of fresh research. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) was presented with findings showing that Atorvastatin cut major cardiovascular events by 30% in elderly people without existing cardiovascular disease, diabetes or dementia, though it failed to significantly boost disability-free survival.
Statins are routinely prescribed to tackle high cholesterol in individuals up to 75 years of age owing to their established benefits in lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke. Nevertheless, until this point, the risk-benefit profile of statins for preventing cardiovascular events in elderly adults without existing cardiovascular disease, diabetes or dementia remained unclear due to their underrepresentation in major statin trials.
An estimated 7 to 8 million adults are on statins across the UK. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, approximately 5.3 million people in England alone were prescribed a recommended statin or ezetimibe by their GP in 2023/24.
Brits have been warned (stock)(Image: PA)
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The most commonly prescribed statins include atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and fluvastatin. Lead Researcher, Professor Sophia Zoungas, from the Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Australia said: “An estimated 21,000 older Australians suffer from major cardiovascular events, like heart attack and stroke, each year,”, reports the Mirror.
“The trial is the first large randomised controlled trial to examine whether statins can be used for primary prevention in older patients to help them live longer in good health.”
The study examined people aged 70 years and above with no previous history of clinical cardiovascular disease, diabetes or dementia. A total of 9,971 participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive oral atorvastatin 40 mg daily or a placebo.
The study group had an average age of 74.7 years with 52% being women.
The two main outcomes assessed were major cardiovascular events, classified as cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke or coronary revascularisation, and disability-free survival, classified as survival free of dementia and physical disability.
New research has been published (stock)(Image: Getty Images)
During a median follow-up period of 5.9 years, the researchers showed that the risk of major cardiovascular events was cut by 30% in the atorvastatin group when compared with the placebo group. Nevertheless, the risk of death, dementia or persistent physical disability did not significantly vary between the two groups.
The ESC was informed: “Muscle, liver and diabetes-related adverse events were more frequent in the atorvastatin group; however, all serious adverse events were uncommon, occurring in 2.7% of participants in both the atorvastatin and placebo groups.”
Professor Zoungas stated: “With the world’s population ageing at an unprecedented rate, answering fundamental questions about healthy longevity has become a universal imperative. The risk of heart attack and stroke is a concern for older people and knowing there is an effective measure for lowering that risk will be a huge reassurance to older people and their families. We hope to see updated guidelines to help clinicians make use of these new findings.”
