Studies provide new evidence to support cholesterol-lowering therapies for older patients

Patients who are older than age 75 years may benefit from taking cholesterol reducing medications, according to two new studies in The Lancet. One observational study comprising more than 13,700 people aged 70-100 years in Denmark found that these individuals had the highest rates of heart attack and cardiovascular disease of any age group. At the same time, this age group would most benefit from statins. Researchers found that one heart attack would be prevented for every 80 people in this age group treated, compared with one heart attack per 439 people of those aged 50-59 years. A separate analysis of 29 trials found that cholesterol-lowering therapies were as effective at reducing cardiovascular incidents in patients older than age 75 years as compared with those younger in age.