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Some older people could stop taking statins without additional risk over two years, but a new study raises concerns about their long-term safety.
This is what reveals a randomized clinical trial presented on November 7, 2026 during the scientific sessions of the American Heart Association in Chicago and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Statins are prescription medications that lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, by reducing the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver. They are known to help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
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The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Bern in Switzerland, the University of California at San Francisco and other institutions, included 1,880 adults aged 70 and older, all of whom were taking statins to prevent a first heart attack or stroke.
Some older people could stop taking statins without additional risk over two years, but a new study raises concerns about their long-term safety. (iStock)
All participants had at least two chronic health conditions but had no established cardiovascular disease or previous cardiovascular events. Half of the participants stopped taking statins and the other half continued.
After two years, the additional risk of stopping statins was small enough to fall within the limits set by the researchers for the study. However, this does not mean that stopping does not carry additional risks.
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During the full follow-up, which lasted about two years for the typical participant and up to four years for some, about 13% of people assigned to stop statins had a heart attack, ischemic stroke or died from any cause, compared with 9% assigned to continue treatment.
The study’s safety monitoring board also recommended that participants who needed to stop statins discuss resuming treatment with their healthcare team, according to the American College of Cardiology.
Statins are prescription medications that lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, by reducing the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver. (iStock)
For other outcomes, the researchers found no significant differences between the two groups in terms of quality of life, muscle pain, falls, or loss of muscle mass and strength.
Dr. Christopher Kelly, a cardiologist at UNC Health, emphasized that maintaining statins did not worsen the muscle pain or quality of life reported during the trial.
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Although guidelines support reducing high cholesterol earlier in life, the benefits of maintaining statins in old age are less certain, study author Dr. Rita F. Redberg, professor of cardiology at the University of California, San Francisco, said in a news release.
“This small increased risk of cardiovascular events means that a general recommendation cannot be made regarding statin discontinuation in this patient population.”
Previous studies have found no difference in mortality after adults 70 and older stopped statins for primary prevention, she noted.
“One study suggested an improvement in quality of life after stopping statins,” Redberg said, adding that his team studied whether stopping was safe for older adults taking medications to prevent a first cardiovascular event.
Limitations of the study
The study had several limitations. Approximately 14% of participants did not follow their assigned treatment plan. Some who were told to stop taking statins took them again, while others instructed to continue treatment stopped taking the drugs, the researchers found.
The findings also may not apply to all older adults, because the study was limited to people aged 70 and older who had several chronic health conditions but had no history of heart disease or stroke.
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Although some participants were followed for up to four years, the study primarily assessed results over a period of approximately two years. Longer follow-up is needed to determine how stopping statins affects patients over many years.
Weigh the risks
“This small increased risk of cardiovascular events means that one cannot make a general recommendation regarding discontinuation of statins in this patient population,” Redberg said.
“There should be shared decision-making between the patient and healthcare professional about whether it is appropriate for an individual to stop treatment,” the researcher said. (iStock)
“There should be shared decision-making between the patient and healthcare professional about whether it is appropriate for an individual to stop the medication. In general, however, stopping is safe for most people in this age group and without a prior cardiovascular event.”
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Kelly, who was not involved in the study, noted that a healthy 70-year-old could live another 20 years, raising questions about the effects of stopping treatment over this longer period.
The doctor also emphasized individualized decisions based on overall health and expected lifespan, noting that he “exercises caution” with his own patients.
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“I generally recommend that they continue taking it unless they have specific concerns about this medication, such as side effects, or if they are taking a lot of medications, and they are really eager to stop taking one.”
Gn Health
