Popular Heart Medication Older Adults Take: Stopping Statins Study
A randomized trial of 1,880 adults aged 70 and older found stopping statins added only a small risk over two years. About 13% of those who stopped had a heart attack, stroke or death, versus 9% of those who continued. Researchers urge shared decisions with doctors.
Older adults may be able to stop taking statins with little added risk over two years, but a new randomized trial raises concerns about longer-term safety, according to results presented on November 7, 2026. The study looked at a popular heart medication older patients commonly take to prevent a first heart attack or stroke.
Researchers presented the findings at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago and published them in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Statins lower LDL, or "bad," cholesterol by reducing how much cholesterol the liver makes. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says they help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
What the trial found
The work was led by researchers from the University of Bern in Switzerland, the University of California, San Francisco, and other institutions. It enrolled 1,880 adults aged 70 and older who were taking statins to prevent a first heart attack or stroke.
All had at least two chronic medical conditions. None had established cardiovascular disease or earlier cardiovascular events. Half stopped statins, and half kept taking them.
After two years, the added risk from stopping fell within the limits researchers had set. That did not mean stopping was risk-free.
Over the full follow-up, about two years for the typical participant and up to four years for some, about 13% of those told to stop had a heart attack, an ischemic stroke or died from any cause. Among those who continued, the figure was 9%.
The study's safety monitoring board recommended that participants assigned to stop statins discuss restarting treatment with their healthcare team, according to the American College of Cardiology.
The researchers found no meaningful differences between the groups in reported quality of life, muscle pain, falls or loss of muscle mass and strength. Dr. Christopher Kelly, a UNC Health cardiologist, stressed that continuing statins did not worsen muscle pain or quality of life in the trial.
Limits of the study
About 14% of participants did not stick with their assigned plan. Some told to stop resumed statins, and some told to continue quit.
The findings may not apply to all older adults. The trial covered only people 70 and older with multiple chronic conditions and no history of heart disease or stroke. Most outcomes were assessed over roughly two years, so longer follow-up is needed.
Study author Dr. Rita F. Redberg, a cardiology professor at the University of California, San Francisco, said the benefit of continuing statins in older age is less certain than earlier in life. Earlier studies found no difference in mortality after adults 70 and older stopped statins for primary prevention, she noted.
"This small, increased risk of cardiovascular events means that one cannot make a general recommendation about stopping statins in this patient population," Redberg said.
She added that patients and clinicians should decide together whether an individual should stop the medication.
