Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification

Recommendation ID: CG181/3
Question: What is the effectiveness of statin therapy in older people?
Any explanatory notes (if applicable): Why this is important: The UK population is ageing and atherosclerosis is an age-associated process. Few trials assessing cardiovascular outcomes have recruited many people older than 80 years yet the important effect of age on CVD risk suggests that all people in this group should be offered statin therapy. However, there is no evidence to validate the CVD benefits and side effects of statin therapy such as effect on muscle and renal function in this age group. Controversy also exists about the efficacy of statins in preventing or promoting other chronic diseases of ageing such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, or age-related macular degeneration.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance: Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification
Number: CG181
Date issued: July 2014

Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research?	No
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?	No
Last Reviewed	07/10/2014