Popular heart medication for older patients faces scrutiny as new study evaluates risks

Key Points:

• A randomized clinical trial involving 1,880 adults aged 70 and older found that stopping statins for primary prevention over about two years carried a small added risk of heart attack, ischemic stroke, or death compared to continuing treatment.
• Approximately 13% of participants who stopped statins experienced cardiovascular events or death versus 9% who continued the medication, though no significant differences were observed in quality of life, muscle pain, falls, or muscle strength.
• The study’s authors caution that stopping statins should involve shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers, as the small increased risk means discontinuation may be safe for many but not all older adults without prior cardiovascular disease.
• Limitations include treatment non-adherence, a study population limited to older adults with multiple chronic conditions but no prior cardiovascular events, and relatively short follow-up primarily around two years, leaving long-term effects unclear.
• Experts emphasize individualized care decisions considering overall health and life expectancy, with some advocating caution given that healthy older adults may live many more years during which cardiovascular risk could increase if statins are stopped.