Study: Statins Deliver More Bang For The Buck In The Elderly
- 3 years ago
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says up to 29% of all adults in the United States, or about 70 million people, have high cholesterol.
In addition to lifestyle changes around diet and exercise, prescription statin drugs can help control high cholesterol, which is liked to cardiovascular disease.
Now, a new study reveals older adults benefit from statins at least as much as young people in reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease.
According to UPI, researchers say that for every 80 people age 80 to 100 who take statins, one heart attack will be prevented.
In contrast, three times that number of people between ages 50 and 59 would need to take the drugs to prevent one heart attack.
Similarly, a second analysis shows statins reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke in people over 75 by 26% for every one-point reduction in LDL cholesterol.
In addition to lifestyle changes around diet and exercise, prescription statin drugs can help control high cholesterol, which is liked to cardiovascular disease.
Now, a new study reveals older adults benefit from statins at least as much as young people in reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease.
According to UPI, researchers say that for every 80 people age 80 to 100 who take statins, one heart attack will be prevented.
In contrast, three times that number of people between ages 50 and 59 would need to take the drugs to prevent one heart attack.
Similarly, a second analysis shows statins reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke in people over 75 by 26% for every one-point reduction in LDL cholesterol.