Landmark statin trial shows 30% reduced heart attack/stroke risk for Australians over 70
Consensus Summary
A landmark clinical trial led by Monash University has shown that statins can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by 30% in healthy people over 70, with no increased risk of dementia. The decade-long study, involving nearly 10,000 participants and over 3,400 Australian GPs, found that statins are as effective in older adults as in younger populations. The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, are expected to lead to updated clinical guidelines within six months, encouraging broader use of statins for preventive care in older Australians. The trial also addressed long-standing concerns about statins causing dementia, with researchers confirming no significant difference in dementia rates between statin and placebo groups. However, the Guardian notes that while major heart events were reduced, statins did not improve disability-free survival, and adherence to the medication was an issue, with over 15% of participants discontinuing treatment. The study’s results are likely to shift medical practice, as current guidelines have historically excluded people over 75 from preventive statin use due to lack of evidence.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A world-first clinical trial led by Monash University found statins reduced the risk of heart attack and stroke by 30% in people over 70
- The trial, called Statins in Reducing Events in the Elderly (STAREE), involved almost 10,000 participants aged over 70 who took either a statin or placebo
- The study found no significant difference in dementia risk between the statin and placebo groups
- The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Saturday, August 29, 2026
- The trial was conducted over a decade and involved more than 3,400 Australian GPs
- Current Australian guidelines recommend statins for people aged 45 to 79 who are assessed as high risk using a cardiovascular disease risk calculator
- Between 2.2 million and 2.6 million Australians take statins daily
- The National Heart Foundation of Australia is preparing to release updated clinical guidelines within the next six months
- Richard Milton, a 66-year-old who suffered a heart attack in December 2024, was prescribed statins and has made a full recovery
- An estimated 21,000 older Australians experience major cardiovascular events each year
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The risk of suffering major cardiovascular events increases with age, and the trial found older adults experienced the same cardiovascular benefits from statins as younger participants in previous trials
- An estimated 60,000 Australians stopped or reduced their use of statins following a highly contentious two-part documentary aired on the ABC in 2013
- Professor Derek Chew urged older Australians to discuss their five-year cardiovascular risk with their doctor
- The study found that one major cardiac event could be prevented for every 37 older adults treated with daily statins over almost six years
- The trial population was almost exclusively white with a mean age around 75 years, raising questions about global generalizability
- More than 15% of patients in the trial discontinued their medication, indicating reluctance to adhere to therapy
- The study found that while major heart events were reduced, disability-free survival was the same among participants whether they took the statin or placebo
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian states the trial population was almost exclusively white with a mean age around 75, while the other sources do not specify racial composition or mean age
- The Guardian notes that statins did not extend life or its quality (disability-free survival was the same), while the SMH and The Age emphasize the benefits of living independently and avoiding hospitalizations
Source Articles
This common medication cuts heart attack risk in older people
A world-first clinical trial has found cholesterol-lowering medication significantly reduces the risk of a major cardiovascular event in people like Richard Milton, who had a heart attack two years ago.
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 Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast 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 me
This common medication cuts heart attack risk in older people
A world-first clinical trial has found cholesterol-lowering medication significantly reduces the risk of a major cardiovascular event in people like Richard Milton, who had a heart attack two years ago.
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