Statins cut first heart attack and stroke risk 30% after age 70
Statins are commonly prescribed to manage high cholesterol in people up to age 75 and are known to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
A comprehensive 10-year clinical trial conducted by Monash University and presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026 has revealed that statin therapy significantly reduces the risk of a first major cardiovascular event in independently living adults over the age of 70. The Statins in Reducing Events in the Elderly (STAREE) Trial analyzed the outcomes of nearly 10,000 participants who took either a statin or a placebo, and found that the drugs decreased the risk of such events by 30% compared to the placebo group.
This landmark study is the first randomized controlled trial to examine the efficacy of statins in older people, a population that has historically been underrepresented in clinical trials. Professor Sophia Zoungas, the lead researcher from Monash School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, emphasized that these findings will lead to updated treatment guidelines, enabling clinicians to better manage cardiovascular risk in older individuals.
With the global prevalence of cardiovascular disease expected to nearly double by 2050, placing a significant burden on an aging population, this research provides a critical reassurance to older adults and their families regarding the potential for effective prevention measures. The trial, carried out in collaboration with over 3,400 general practitioners across Australia, represents a major advancement in healthy aging research and highlights the global importance of addressing cardiovascular disease prevention in older adults.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
