French Trial Finds 75-Plus Adults Can Stop Statins Without Higher 3-Year Death Risk
Updated
Updated · The Sun · Aug 11
French Trial Finds 75-Plus Adults Can Stop Statins Without Higher 3-Year Death Risk
3 articles · Updated · The Sun · Aug 11
Summary
1,160 adults aged 75 or older in France showed no significant rise in deaths, heart attacks or strokes over three years after stopping statins, if they had no history of cardiovascular disease.
The discontinuation group recorded a 7.2% death rate versus 7.9% among those who stayed on treatment, while physical and mental quality-of-life scores remained unchanged in both groups.
Stopping statins still raised LDL — “bad” cholesterol — by about 50%, whereas levels were stable in patients who continued taking the drugs.
Researchers and outside cardiologists said the findings should not prompt routine discontinuation, noting the trial was relatively small and did not address whether risks could emerge beyond the three-year follow-up.