Effect of Statin Treatment vs Usual Care on Primary Cardiovascular Prevention Among Older Adults

May 22, 2017

Effect of Statin Treatment vs Usual Care on Primary Cardiovascular Prevention Among Older AdultsThe ALLHAT-LLT Randomized Clinical Trial

Benjamin H. Han, MD, MPH¹; David Sutin, MD¹; Jeff D. Williamson, MD²; et alBarry R. Davis, MD, PhD³; Linda B. Piller, MD, MPH³; Hannah Pervin, PhD³; Sara L. Pressel, MS³; Caroline S. Blaum, MD¹; for the ALLHAT Collaborative Research Group

Author Affiliations

JAMA Intern Med. Published online May 22, 2017. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.1442

Question  Are statins beneficial when used for primary cardiovascular prevention in older adults?

Findings  In this post hoc secondary analysis of older adults in the randomized clinical trial Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial–Lipid-Lowering Trial (ALLHAT-LLT), there were no significant differences in all-cause mortality or cardiovascular outcomes between pravastatin sodium and usual care for primary prevention for adults 65 years and older.

Meaning  No benefit was found when a statin was given for primary prevention to older adults. Treatment recommendations should be individualized for this population.

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