FAQ: When Should Statins Be Stopped In Elderly?

“To patients, we would say that if you regularly take statins for high cholesterol, we would recommend you don’t stop the treatment when you are 75,” emphasized lead researcher Philippe Giral, MD, PhD, an endocrinologist and specialist in prevention of CVD.

When should elderly stop taking statins?

Dr. Guy L. Mintz, director of cardiovascular health and lipidology at Northwell Health’s Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset, New York, says the study reinforces that older adults shouldn’t stop taking their statin just because they reach the “magic age” of 75.

Are statins effective after age 70?

Another consideration for this study is that while analyzing medical records for a large population can provide evidence of a drug’s benefit, only a well-designed clinical trial can provide definitive evidence that statin therapy is safe and effective in adults 75 and older.

What happens if you stop taking statins?

You won’t get any withdrawal symptoms. However, stopping atorvastatin may cause your cholesterol to rise. This increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes. If you want to stop taking your medicine, it’s important to find another way to lower your cholesterol.

Why would statins be stopped?

This is because it can be dangerous to stop taking statins. These drugs are highly effective in preventing heart problems such as heart attack and stroke. In fact, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), they can reduce your risk of these and other cholesterol-related problems by as much as 50 percent.

Should 80 year olds take statins?

Adults age 75 and older may not need statins. Their doctors usually prescribe statins to prevent heart disease. But for older people, there is no clear evidence that high cholesterol leads to heart disease or death.

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Is it OK to stop taking statins for a week?

You usually have to continue taking statins for life because if you stop taking them, your cholesterol will return to a high level within a few weeks. If you forget to take your dose, do not take an extra one to make up for it. Just take your next dose as usual the following day.

What is the best statin for the elderly?

Atorvastatin or fluvastatin are usually recommended because there is no need to adjust the dose according to the glomerular filtration rate [28]. In patients without diagnosed atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, it is indicated a moderate dose of statin, such as atorvastatin 20 mg daily [28].

Is there an age limit for taking statins?

So current medical guidelines recommend statins for people in that no-heart-disease category, a strategy called primary prevention — but only for those up to age 75. Yet almost half of adults aged 75 and older take statins, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported.

Why are doctors pushing statins?

A study published Monday is pushing back against the notion that up to 40 percent of Americans should be taking statin drugs to reduce the risk of heart disease. The study, in the Annals of Internal Medicine, argues that current medical guidelines haven’t adequately considered the risks from these widely used drugs.

How do you wean off statins?

Anyone who wants to stop taking a statin should talk to a doctor. In some cases, coming off these drugs can be dangerous. The doctor may suggest reducing the dosage, combining the statin with another cholesterol lowering drug, or switching to another drug entirely.

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What can you take instead of statins?

7 cholesterol-lowering alternatives to statins

  • Fibrates. Mostly used for lowering triglyceride levels in patients whose levels are very high and could cause pancreatitis.
  • Plant stanols and sterols.
  • Cholestyramine and other bile acid-binding resins.
  • Niacin.
  • Policosanol.
  • Red yeast rice extract (RYRE)
  • Natural products.

How can I lower my cholesterol without taking statins?

Tips for reducing your cholesterol

  1. Avoid trans and saturated fats.
  2. Eat lots of soluble fiber. Upping your daily intake of soluble fiber can decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
  3. Exercise.
  4. Cut down on your alcohol intake.
  5. Try fish oil supplements.
  6. Take a garlic supplement.

When are statins recommended?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends low- to moderate-dose statins in adults ages 40 to 75 who have one or more risk factors for heart and blood vessel disease and at least a 1 in 10 chance of having a cardiosvascular disease event in the next 10 years.

Do statins cause more harm than good?

Researchers warn that unless a patient is at high risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, statins may cause more harm than good ‘.

Are statins worth the risk?

Research has shown that statins are highly effective in reducing the risk of fatal heart attack and stroke. But some people are reluctant to take these life-saving drugs. They worry about taking medicine every day for the rest of their life or have heard that statins have undesirable side effects.

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