Study Does Not Support Widespread Use of Statins in Healthy Older People to Prevent Heart Disease

A study published in the British Medical Journal found no association between statin use and a reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) or death in healthy people older than 75, reports Medical Xpress . Statins were associated with a reduction in CVD and death from any cause in those with type 2 diabetes up to 85 years old. The investigators identified 46,864 people aged 75 years or older with no CVD history between 2006 and 2015. Participants were split into those with and those lacking type 2 diabetes and as statin non-users or new users. In non-diabetics, statin treatment was not tied to a reduction in CVD or "all cause mortality" in both old and very old age groups, although the risk of CVD in both cohorts was higher than the risk thresholds suggested for statin use in guidelines. Statins were associated with significantly reduced levels of CVD and all cause mortality in diabetics age 75 to 84, but this effect tapered off after age 85 and disappeared by age 90. The researchers stress that the study's outcomes do not support widespread statin use in old and very old populations.