Statin therapy reduces cardiovascular disease risk in older people

Statin therapy reduces major vascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, in people of all ages, including those over the age of 75, according to a new study published in The Lancet. Statins help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood and are prescribed to millions of people globally. Having a high level of LDL cholesterol can lead to hardening and narrowing of the arteries and cardiovascular disease. Although statin therapy has been shown to prevent cardiovascular disease in a wide range of people, there has been uncertainty about its efficacy and safety among older people.