A study suggests that stopping statin treatment in people aged 75 and over with no history of heart disease or stroke does not increase the risk of death
Statins are used to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD), a specific type of cardiovascular disease caused by the build-up of fatty plaque inside the arteries, which can lead to heart disease or stroke. A study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity analysed the effect of stopping statins in adults aged 75 and over who were taking them preventatively, that is, without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The results showed that discontinuing treatment was no worse than continuing it in terms of all-cause mortality over a three-year period. According to the authors, these results support individualised decision-making regarding the discontinuation of statin treatment in older people, rather than a blanket recommendation to stop taking them.
