Statins - the elderly

MN: That one trial with people over 70, called PROSPER (PROspective Study of Pravastatin in Elderly at Risk), is often misrepresented.

JA: This trial clearly showed the limited benefit of statins in the elderly. For those who already have cardiovascular disease, taking a statin reduces the risk of heart attack or cardiac death. But it also showed that people in this age range who are at increased risk of, but do not have, cardiovascular disease do not benefit from taking a statin. Importantly, the study also found that at four years, there was one extra new cancer for every 70 people taking a statin. No reduced risk of stroke and no benefit for people without cardiovascular disease and an increased risk of cancer, yet millions of elderly Americans without heart disease or diabetes are taking these drugs because they and their doctors are misled into believing that clinical trials have shown that statins are beneficial.