Study Raises Longer-Term Questions About Stopping Statins in Older Adults

A clinical trial of older adults using statins as primary prevention against an initial heart attack or stroke found that stopping the medication carried a small added risk over two years, with a larger difference in serious outcomes over the full follow-up. The results were presented in Chicago on November 7, 2026, and published November 11.

The trial included 1,880 people aged 70 or older, each with at least two chronic conditions but no history of cardiovascular disease or a prior cardiovascular event. Half were assigned to stop taking statins and half to continue.

During observation, which was roughly two years for a typical enrollee and reached four years in a few cases, about 13% of those assigned to stop experienced a heart attack, suffered an ischemic stroke, or passed away, compared with 9% of those assigned to continue. After two years, the increase in risk was within the study’s pre-set limits, but researchers said this did not mean stopping posed no added risk. A safety board advised those assigned to stop to discuss restarting treatment with their healthcare teams.

The groups showed no meaningful differences in participants’ well-being, muscle aches, falls, or declines in muscle size and strength. Cardiologist Christopher Kelly said continuing statins did not aggravate muscle discomfort or reduce well-being among trial participants.

Study author Rita F. Redberg said the findings do not support a general recommendation to stop statins for this group. She said patients and clinicians should make the decision together. About 14% of participants did not follow their assigned treatment, and the results may not apply to older adults without multiple chronic conditions or to those with previous cardiovascular disease. Longer follow-up is needed to assess effects over many years.