Research
AHA: Discontinuing statins noninferior to continuation in older adults without known cardiovascular disease
The Brief
- A study published online Nov. 7 in the New England Journal of Medicine found that discontinuing statins is generally safe for older adults without a history of cardiovascular disease.
- The finding applies to statins taken for primary prevention, and the study was released to coincide with the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.
- The research reports discontinuation as noninferior to continuing statin therapy in this group.
Why it matters
Statins are widely prescribed to prevent heart disease, so evidence that stopping them is not clearly worse for some older adults may inform clinical decisions about deprescribing.
Who’s affected
- clinicians and older patients taking statins for primary prevention
- older adults without known cardiovascular disease
- #statins
- #cardiovascular disease
- #primary prevention
- #older adults
- #deprescribing
It is generally safe for older adults without a history of cardiovascular disease to discontinue statins for primary prevention, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions…
Timeline
Study published online in the New England Journal of Medicine, timed to the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions
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AHA: Discontinuing statins noninferior to continuation in older adults without known cardiovascular disease