When statins can be avoided in high-risk groups

Statin therapy may not be necessary in high-risk patients if calcium buildup is absent, US cardiologists say.

Their research shows this group has less than a 3% chance of a cardiovascular event over the next decade even with well-known risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension or high LDL levels.

The authors note that this is well below the 7.5% level set by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association as a guideline to begin statin treatment.