In a nutshell
This study looked at the effect of cholesterol-lowering drugs in older patients. They found that lowering cholesterol levels led to a significantly reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in these patients.
Some background
High cholesterol is one of the leading causes of heart disease. LDL cholesterol is a type of cholesterol sometimes referred to as "bad cholesterol" because of its role in causing heart disease. Younger patients with high cholesterol are routinely started on cholesterol-lowering medications to prevent heart disease. These medications include statins such as atorvastatin (Lipitor) or rosuvastatin (Crestor), PCSK9 inhibitors such as alirocumab (Praluent), or evolocumab (Repatha), or ezetimibe (Ezetrol). However, there is debate over whether these medications are useful in older patients.
Methods & findings
This study looked at the results of 29 trials, involving a total of 244,090 patients. 21,492 patients were over the age of 75. Patients were treated with cholesterol-lowering treatment with statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, or ezetimibe. They were followed up for an average of 2 years.
Cholesterol-lowering treatment was as effective in patients aged over 75 as in younger patients. For every 1 mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol, there was a 26% reduction in risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death.
The bottom line
This study showed that cholesterol-lowering treatment is as effective in older patients as in younger patients in reducing the risk of heart disease.
The fine print
Some of the trials included in this study did not include information on the safety of these medications in older patients specifically. More study is needed on this.
What’s next?
Speak to your physician about the benefits of cholesterol-lowering medication.
Published By :
Lancet (London, England)
Date :
Nov 09, 2020
