Statins in Elderly
german translation / full articleQuestion
Is statin use for cardiovascular prevention in elderly patients evidence-based?
Answer
Statin use for primary cardiovascular prevention in elederly patients seems not to be evidence-based. For secondary prevention, however, there are meta-analysis data for patients 65–82 years old showing a reduction in total and cardiac mortality, myocardial infacrtion and cerebral ischemia. Protection is at least as good in elderly than in younger patients. Therefore statins should not be withheld in elderly subjects with increased cardiovascular risk. No studies exist for patients older than 82 years.
(State: 18.09.2012)