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● TRACKER Updated 16d ago · 5 sources tracked

Statins can safely cut risk of heart attacks or strokes in healthy people aged over 70, world-first clinical trial shows

A world-first clinical trial, STAREE, found that statins can safely reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in healthy people aged over 70 by 30%. The trial used atorvastatin and showed that the reduction was mainly driven by nonfatal events. This confirms previous suggestions that statins may have benefits beyond just lowering cholesterol.

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  • ✓ Statins can safely cut the risk of heart attacks or strokes in healthy people aged over 70 by 30%.
  • ✓ The reduction in risk is mainly driven by nonfatal events.
  • ✓ Statins may also reduce dementia risk by up to 15%.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 5 independent reporting domains (85% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

The STAREE trial results provide the first clear evidence from a large clinical trial that statins can safely reduce major cardiovascular events in healthy people over 70.

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  1. Statins safely cut heart attack and stroke risk in healthy people over 70

    A world-first clinical trial, STAREE, found that statins can safely reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in healthy people aged over 70 by 30%. The trial used atorvastatin and showed that the reduction was mainly driven by nonfatal events. This confirms previous suggestions that statins may have benefits beyond just lowering cholesterol.

    Why it matters

    The STAREE trial provides crucial evidence on the use of statins in older adults without a history of cardiovascular disease. Statins are commonly prescribed to people at high risk of heart attacks and strokes, but their use in healthy older adults has been uncertain. The findings have significant implications for public health, given the large number of people in this age group.

    What is confirmed

    • Statins can safely cut the risk of heart attacks or strokes in healthy people aged over 70 by 30%.
    • The reduction in risk is mainly driven by nonfatal events.
    • Statins may also reduce dementia risk by up to 15%.

    What to watch next

    • Further analysis of the STAREE trial data to understand the mechanisms behind the reduction in cardiovascular events
    • Investigation of the optimal dosage and duration of statin treatment in healthy older adults
    • Assessment of the cost-effectiveness of prescribing statins to healthy people over 70
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. The Guardian — Statins can safely cut risk of heart attacks or strokes in healthy people aged over 70, world-first clinical trial shows
    2. The Guardian — Statins can reduce dementia risk by up to 15%, long-term study suggests
    3. TCTMD.com — STAREE: Statins Cut MACE Risk by 30% in Older Adults With No CVD History
    4. Medscape — STAREE Trial: Atorvastatin Cuts Major CV Events by 30% in Older Adults, Driven Mainly by Nonfatal Events
    5. Medical Xpress — Early initiation of statins after diagnosis of type 2 diabetes associated with a lower risk of dementia
    6. SMH.com.au — This common medication cuts heart attack risk in older people
    confidence 85%
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