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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Melissa Davey Medical editor

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

Statin Heart Attack Clinical Trial Mark Nelson Australia Monash
An older person's hand sorting through a handful of medications
New research shows taking statins can reduce the risk of people aged over 70 suffering heart attacks or strokes. Photograph: Carol Heesen/Alamy

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.

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