Major global study shows statins can prevent heart attacks and strokes in lower risk patients
The results could prod far more doctors to add a statin to blood pressure therapy for people who have no prior history of heart problems
The first major research of its kind suggested that healthy people may reduce their risk of developing heart problems before they start by taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, known as statins.
The findings came from three trials, which included more than 12,000 people in 21 countries, and were released at the American College of Cardiology conference in Chicago.
Until now, statins have mainly been recommended for people at high-risk of heart disease, which kills 18 million people around the world each year and causes some 50 million heart attacks and strokes.
“The implications for practice are huge,” said senior researcher Salim Yusuf, professor of medicine at McMaster University.
“I think we certainly should consider using statins much more widely than we have used them thus far.”
