More people over the age of 75 should be taking statins, scientists have said, following a review of research.

There had been a lack of evidence about how much the cholesterol-lowering drugs benefit this age group.

But the review found they cut the risk of major cardiovascular disease in all ages studied, including the over-75s.

Researchers said thousands of lives could be saved each year if more than the estimated third of UK over-75s who do take statins, were given them.

They also said it could improve quality of life for many people.

Cardiovascular disease kills about 150,000 people in the UK each year, with two-thirds of these occurring in people over the age of 75.

Side effects ‘massively outweighed’

The review, which looked at 28 randomised controlled trials – often called the “gold standard” of studies – involving nearly 190,000 patients, found statins lowered the risk of major cardiovascular disease in the ages studied, from under-55s to over-75s.

There were similar reductions in risk for stroke and for coronary stenting or bypass surgery.

However, the authors said even a smaller reduction in risk was significant because the elderly have a higher baseline risk for cardiovascular disease in the first place.

The more people reduced their low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, the more the risk of cardiovascular disease was lowered, the study found.

A 1.0 mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol lowered the risk of major vascular events by about a fifth and a major coronary event by a quarter, when results from all age groups were combined.

To put this into perspective, about 2.5% of 63-year-olds with no history of vascular disease would be expected to have their first major vascular event per year, compared with 4% of 78-year-olds.

Reducing those risks by a fifth would prevent first major vascular events from occurring each year in 50 people aged 63 and 80 people aged 78 per 10,000 people treated.

Prof Baigent said there was an argument for giving statins to people over the age of 75 who have a “normal” level of LDL cholesterol.

He said: “In many circumstances, the person may be very healthy, they may be able to avoid having a stroke or having a heart attack simply by taking a cheap and safe tablet every day.

“That may be a choice they’re willing to take. At the moment I feel we’re not taking the opportunity to offer that.”

‘Reassuring’

There has been controversy about statin side effects and how often they are prescribed, especially in otherwise healthy people.

Common side effects include muscle pain, increased risk of type 2 diabetes and digestive problems.

The Royal College of GPs welcomed the research and said it was “particularly reassuring” to see evidence of the benefit of statins in over-75s.

Prof Martin Marshall, vice-chairman of the college, said some patients would not want to be on long-term medication.

“But GPs are highly trained to prescribe and will only recommend the drugs if they think they will genuinely help the person sitting in front of them, based on their individual circumstances – and after a frank conversation about the potential risks and benefits.”