A new study from Bordeaux University Hospital suggests that older adults who have not previously had a stroke or heart attack may not see their risk of death increase within three years of stopping statins. The findings, published in The Lancet Health Longevity Journal, compared outcomes for patients who quit the medication with those who continued taking it.
Study details
The research involved 1,160 adults with an average age of 80, who were randomly assigned to either continue taking statins or stop. The study focused on the main types of statins used in the UK, including simvastatin, fluvastatin and pravastatin.
Three years after the study began, 7.2% of those who stopped taking statins had died, compared with 7.9% of those who continued. Around 5% of patients who quit had a major cardiovascular event in that period, compared with 4.4% of those who remained on the medication.
Cholesterol rise noted
Despite the thin margin, researchers observed a 50% rise in “bad cholesterol” among those who stopped treatment. They concluded that quitting statins was “noninferior to continuing” them, suggesting little benefit to be gained from continued use in this group.
Expert caution
Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, said the research provided “good insights” but was limited in scope. “The findings should not be interpreted as evidence that statins are no longer beneficial,” he said. “On the contrary, for the many millions of patients taking statins in the UK, they are on life-saving medications.”
He added: “It is important to note that these findings are not relevant to many millions with a history of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular conditions that put them at high risk. Any decisions about changing or stopping statins should only be taken together with your doctor.”
