A new heart disease risk calculator could reduce the number of people requiring statins for prevention.
A new study suggests that fewer people may need statins to prevent heart disease, a significant shift that could impact millions. Statins like Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor are commonly prescribed to lower LDL cholesterol levels, a primary factor in cardiovascular disease. However, heart doctors caution that further research is necessary, and patients should not stop taking their prescribed medications without consulting their healthcare providers.
The study, led by Dr. Tim Anderson of the University of Pittsburgh, evaluates a new heart disease risk calculator called PREVENT, which was introduced by the American Heart Association (AHA) last year. This calculator offers a more refined risk assessment for developing heart disease by incorporating newer risk factors, such as kidney disease and obesity. The study involved data from 3,785 adults aged 40 to 75 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
When comparing the new calculator to the existing guidelines from 2013, the researchers found that the PREVENT tool significantly lowered the estimated 10-year risk of developing heart disease. The PREVENT calculator’s estimates were about half of those predicted by the older guidelines, leading to a drastic reduction in the number of people who would be recommended for statin therapy.
According to the study, if the PREVENT calculator were applied nationwide, about 40% fewer people would qualify for statin prescriptions. This means approximately 4 million individuals in the U.S. who currently take statins for primary prevention—before experiencing any heart attacks or strokes—may no longer need them, as per the new risk estimates.
While this new approach shows promise, doctors emphasize the need for further study to confirm its long-term effectiveness and safety. For now, patients should continue following their doctor’s advice and should not discontinue statin use unless directed otherwise. The findings, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, are expected to spark further discussions on how to refine heart disease prevention strategies and improve patient care.
