There had been a lack of evidence about how much the cholesterol -lowering drugs benefit this age group. In a review, it found they cut the risk of major cardiovascular disease in all ages studied including the over-75s. Researchers said thousands of lives could have been saved each year if more than the estimated third of UK over -75s who do take statins were given them. It also found that it could improve the quality of life for many people.
Cardiovascular disease kills about 150,000 people in the UK each year with two-thirds of these occurring in people over the age of 75.
Statins reduce the build-up of fatty plaque that lead to blockages in blood vessels through reported side effects and the extent of how often they are prescribed has attracted uncertainty.
The review looked at 28 randomised controlled trials and involved nearly 190,000 patients, found statins lowered the risk of major cardiovascular disease in the ages studied from under-55s to over 75s. There were similar reductions in the risk of stroke and for coronary stenting or bypass surgery. They estimate that about a third of the 5.5 million people in the UK over 75 take a statin.
Prof Colin Baigent, one of the authors of the paper, said: “One of the issues we have is that very often doctors are unwilling to consider statin therapy for elderly people simply because they’re old, and that, I think, is an attitude that is preventing us from making use of the tools we have available to us.”
The authors said even a smaller reduction in risk was significant because the elderly have a higher baseline risk for cardiovascular disease in the first place.
2.5% of 63-year-olds with no history of vascular disease would be expected to have their first major vascular event per year compared with 4% of 78-year-olds. Reducing risks by a fifth would prevent first major vascular events from occurring each year in 50 people aged 63 and 80 people aged 78 per 10,000 people treated.
Prof Baigent said: “In many circumstances, the person may be very healthy, they may be able to avoid having a stroke or having a heart attack simply by taking a cheap and safe tablet every day.
“That may be a choice they’re willing to take. At the moment I feel we’re not taking the opportunity to offer that.”
There is concerns about the side effects and how often they are prescribed especially in otherwise healthy people. Common side effects include muscle pain, increased risk of type 2 diabetes and digestive problems. It is possible to lower cholesterol levels without drugs by making lifestyle changes such as cutting down on saturated fat and eating more fruit.
Prof Martin Marshall, vice-chairman of the college, said: “But GPs are highly trained to prescribe and will only recommend the drugs if they think they will genuinely help the person sitting in front of them, based on their individual circumstances – and after a frank conversation about the potential risks and benefits.”
