Statins reduce deaths from heart disease by 28 per cent

Statins reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 28 per cent among men, according to the longest ever study.

The study, which lasted 20 years and was conducted by Imperial College London with the University of Glasgow, focused on 2,560 men with high levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol.

Researchers found that 40mg daily of pravastatin, a weak type of statin, reduced deaths from heart disease in participants by more than a quarter.

The findings also challenge approaches on treating younger patients with low density lipoprotein (LDL) elevations with a ‘watch and wait approach’. Instead, the authors say even those with slightly elevated cholesterol are at higher long-term risk of heart disease.

The authors say the findings provide the first trial evidence to confirm that current guidelines should stay as they are for those with high LDL, and those with LDL levels about the 190mg/dL threshold should be considered for statin therapy without risk assessment.

The study was partly funded by a grant from Sanofi to Imperial College London.

Professor Ray, Imperial’s School of Public Health, said: “For the first time, we show that statins reduce the risk of death in this specific group of people who appear largely healthy except for very high LDL levels. This legitimises current guidelines which recommend treating this population with statins.

“Our findings provide the first trial-based evidence to support the guidelines for treating patients with LDL above 190mg/dL and no signs of heart disease. They also suggest that we should consider prescribing statins more readily for those with elevated cholesterol levels above 155 mg/dl and who also appear otherwise healthy.

“This is the strongest evidence yet that statins reduce the risk of heart disease and death in men with high LDL. Our study lends support to LDL’s status as a major driver of heart disease risk, and suggests that even modest LDL reductions might offer significant mortality benefits in the long-term. The analysis firmly establishes that controlling LDL over time translates to fewer deaths in this population.”