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Landmark Study: 30% Lower Heart Attack Risk for Seniors
29 Aug
Summary
- Statins reduced heart attack and stroke risk by 30% in healthy adults over 70.
- A decade-long trial involved nearly 10,000 participants and over 3400 GPs.
- Research dispels the myth that statins cause dementia, showing no increased risk.
Healthy Australians aged 70 and over could soon be advised to take statins, following a major clinical trial. The study found that the cholesterol-reducing medication lowered the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, by 30% in this age group. These findings are particularly significant as statins had not been routinely prescribed to healthy adults over 75 due to a lack of clear evidence.
The world-first clinical trial, named STAREE, led by Monash University, involved nearly 10,000 participants over a decade, with the involvement of over 3400 Australian GPs. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the results also appear to definitively dispel the long-held concern that statins contribute to dementia.
Researchers observed no significant difference in dementia risk between participants taking statins and those receiving a placebo. This observation is reassuring for many, including individuals like Richard Milton, who had previously worried about this side effect. Milton, who started statins in December 2024 after a heart attack, reported no memory changes and welcomed the research.
The National Heart Foundation of Australia is preparing to update its clinical guidelines within the next six months to reflect these significant findings. Annually, an estimated 21,000 older Australians experience major cardiovascular events, highlighting the importance of preventative measures like statins in helping them live well and independently.
