Statins are just as effective in people over 75 as they are in younger people

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Statins are just as effective in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in people over 70 as they are in younger people, according to a new study.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, part of Harvard Medical School, analyzed data from 240,000 people to better understand the impact of statins on treating cardiovascular disease in the elderly.

Cholesterol lowering drugs, such as statins, reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events by 26% in patients aged 75 years and older.

Prior to this research, it was debated whether there was any benefit to giving statins to the elderly – but researchers say it proves to be beneficial.

A related study by Danish researchers, published in the same issue of The Lancet, involved observations from 90,000 people and came to a similar conclusion about the benefits of statins in older people for treating heart disease.

Statins are just as effective at treating cardiovascular disease in people over 70 as they are in younger people, according to a new study. Stock image

Despite new evidence showing the benefits of statins in the elderly, researchers point out that they are still useful for controlling bad cholestoral in young adults – and can be used as early as possible to prevent buildup in arteries.

Previous studies have shown that LDL cholesterol – often called the “bad” cholesterol because the fatty substance builds up in the walls of blood vessels – can increase the risk of heart disease, seizures, and stroke.

The new findings mean that taking statins to lower heart attack risk is just as beneficial for people over 75 with high LDL cholesterol as it is for younger people.

Professor Marc Sabatine, lead author of the study, said: “ Cholesterol-lowering drugs are affordable drugs that reduce the risk of heart disease for millions of people around the world, but so far their benefits for the elderly remained less certain. ”

Sabatine said new research shows the drugs are as effective in reducing death and heart attacks in those over 75 as they are in young people.

“We found no compensatory safety issues and together these findings should strengthen the guideline recommendations for the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs, including statins and non-statins, in the elderly.

Another study, carried out by the University Hospital of Copenhagen, also published in the same issue of The Lancet, looked at the impact of statins on people aged 70 to 100.

They found that people in this age group who have never had a previous cardiovascular event may derive the most benefit from taking cholesterol-lowering drugs compared to younger age groups.

Observational research, involving more than 90,000 people living in Copenhagen, Denmark, also found that people over the age of 70 had the highest incidence of heart attack and cardiovascular disease of any age group.

Professor Borge Nordestgaard said: “Our study provides further evidence of the cumulative burden of LDL cholesterol over a person’s lifetime and the gradual increase in the risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease with age.

“With the proportion of people living over the age of 70 worldwide increasing rapidly, these data highlight the enormous potential of primary prevention strategies aimed at lowering LDL cholesterol to reduce the burden of heart disease in the population.

Researchers stress the importance of keeping LDL cholesterol – often referred to as the “ bad ” cholesterol because the fatty substance builds up in the walls of blood vessels – under control in individuals as early as possible to prevent buildup in the arteries.

“The results should guide decision making about whether older people will benefit from statin therapy.

Commenting on the results, Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, who was not involved in any of the studies, said previous studies had left question marks about the benefits of statins in older people.

“This new research shows not only that statins offer significant benefits in people over 75, but this age group could benefit the most because they have a higher risk of heart disease,” said Sr. Nilesh. .

“Patients shouldn’t be denied a statin just because of their age.

“Any decision to start taking a statin should be based on a conversation between a patient and their GP, which will take into account the individual’s likely risks and benefits.

Both studies were published in The Lancet journal.

‘Bad cholesterol’ can build up in arteries and restrict blood flow

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is vital for the normal functioning of the body.

But too much can cause it to build up in the arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart, brain, and the rest of the body.

This increases the risk of angina, heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.

Cholesterol is produced in the liver and is carried in the blood by proteins.

The first – high density lipoprotein (HDL) – carries cholesterol from cells to the liver where it is broken down or passed on as waste. It is “good cholesterol”.

“Bad cholesterol” – low density lipoprotein (LDL) – carries cholesterol to cells, with excessive amounts forming in the artery walls.

High cholesterol can be genetic, but it’s also linked to a diet high in saturated fat, as well as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a family history of stroke or heart disease.

Blood cholesterol is measured in units called millimoles per liter of blood, often abbreviated as mmol / L.

The overall level of a healthy adult should be 5 mmol / L or less, while their LDL level should not exceed 3 mmol / L. An ideal level of HDL is above 1 mmol / L.

Cholesterol can be lowered by eating a healthy, low-fat diet; no smoking; and exercise regularly.

If that doesn’t help, cholesterol lowering drugs like statins may be prescribed.

Source: NHS

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