Statins can safely cut risk of heart attacks or strokes in healthy people aged over 70, world-first clinical trial shows

Australian-led trial finds low risk of side effects from common cholesterol-lowering medication for otherwise healthy older people

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Taking a common cholesterol-lowering medication can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke for people aged over 70, with a low risk of serious side effects, a world-first clinical trial led by Australian researchers has found.

Statins are already commonly prescribed to people under the age of 75 who meet certain risk criteria, such as having diabetes and high cholesterol, to prevent them from having a major heart event such as a heart attack, stroke, or from requiring heart surgery.