Major Aussie study finds statins cut major CV events by 30% in healthy over-70s
It comes weeks after a smaller study showed that older patients could safely be taken off the medications.
Statins reduce cardiovascular events in patients over 70 without increasing serious adverse events, an Australian randomised controlled trial has found — the first to demonstrate the benefit in this age group.
The medication did not lead to an increase in disability-free survival, but researchers said the findings would likely still lead to updated guidelines.
Of 9971 patients — all aged over 70, living independently and with no history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes or dementia — 4984 received atorvastatin and 4987 received placebo.
In the STAREE (STAtins for Reducing Events in the Elderly) randomised controlled trial, mean age was 74.5, and 51.9% were women. Follow-up was a median of 5.9 years.
