Statin therapy lowers major cardiovascular events by 30% in older adults without prior CV disease
In the STAREE trial, about 9,971 adults aged 70+ without cardiovascular disease or diabetes who were randomized to atorvastatin 40 mg daily had a 30% lower risk of major cardiovascular events over a median follow-up of 5.9 years versus placebo, driven largely by fewer nonfatal myocardial infarctions and fewer revascularizations. There was no significant improvement in disability-free survival (death, dementia, or persistent disability), LDL cholesterol fell substantially in the statin group, and adverse events were more common but serious events were rare. The findings support statin use for primary prevention in some healthy older adults but may not apply to frail or multimorbid individuals.
